Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island

Architectural Treasures of Amelia Island

Amelia Island offers a unique opportunity to experience history. Fernandina Beach's Historic District is a living museum. Like sleeping beauties, the island's Victorian-era homes have been frozen in time. Each offers a story about the people and events that shaped the history of Florida's northernmost barrier island.

Once a month, we will feature a home located in Fernandina Beach’s Historic District.

The Waas House, Historic Treasure

This large, impressive house on the corner of Seventh and Date streets is actually two houses in one. The original house was a modest cottage and faced Date Street. It was built in the late 1850s by the Hedges family, prior to the Civil War. The original house has been described as Carpenter Gothic. It passed through several owners, including St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, before being purchased by Dr. William T. Waas. The doctor and his wife added many typical Victorian details when they enlarged the house.

The original house was engulfed by a newer structure, which included a circular tower and its distinctive, spacious, and inviting porches. A Gothic-inspired palladium window is capped by an arched window. The house nearly doubled in size, with its new orientation opening to Seventh Street rather than Date Street. The main structure includes six bedrooms and four bathrooms, situated on a large 100-foot-by-190-foot corner lot. It also features a separate carriage house with a kitchenette and bathroom.

Waas was born and grew up in Fernandina, the son of John and Regina Waas. After studying at the East Florida Seminary in Gainesville, Dr. Waas graduated from the Tulane Medical School and returned to Fernandina. He partnered with Dr. J.D. Palmer. When Palmer died at a relatively young age, Waas bought the Palmer Pharmacy, which eventually became the Waas Pharmacy. He operated his medical practice from his grand home.

Like so many gentlemen of his time, he held positions with the city of Fernandina and Nassau County. He was the Mayor of Fernandina from 1899 until 1908. There are many stories about Dr. Waas. He owned one of the first two automobiles on the island and managed to get into an accident with the owner of the other car, Flossie Borden. He loved to dress as Santa Claus at Christmas. He would pick up guests in a horse-drawn wagon and bring them back to his grand home, which was decorated with holiday candles.

The house is one of many in the Historic District recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. It remained in the Waas family for nearly a century (1899-1996). The property was recently listed for sale at $2.5 million.