This is the story of a house that became a home, then a shelter for battered women and, finally, a home away from home for travelers looking for peace and tranquility. In all of its history the 1735 House has meant comfort and warmth for its occupants. Today vacationers seeking Florida sun and fun value it as a prized jewel. The charming Victorian themed Oceanside inn is nestled among the sea oats and dunes along the Atlantic shoreline just minutes from the rustic downtown main streets.
Walter Nolan Baker originally built the charming house for his family
residence in the late 1930’s. William A. Veech then bought the home in 1949. He
remodeled the upstairs and turned the building into an apartment house. It
remained an apartment house, except for a brief time when it was used as a
shelter for battered women, until 1981. At that time David and Susan Caples
bought it and extensively remodeled it into a bed and breakfast inn.
Recently the manager, Melinda Auld, decided to remodel it once again. The
office, which had been on the first floor, was moved out of the building and the
space was used to create a sixth suite. When asked why she started the project
she stated, “It all started when we moved the point of check-in to the new
administrative location at 87 South Fletcher Avenue. This gave us the extra
space we needed to create the new suite.”
The contract for the project was given to Melinda’s brother, Mark Normandin of
Olde to New Restorations, a company known for its attention to details. One of
the company’s favorite past jobs was the restoration of the old Bailey House
here on the Island. Mark pays attention to details and they are his
specialty. The renovations began in April, 2003 and were completed in December,
2003.
An elegant new look transforms the Oceanside inn into a first class bed and
breakfast with each room having uniquely placed features to bring out their
character. The six suites are all full size. They include one or two bedrooms,
kitchenette galley, dining area, sitting area and a fully renovated bathroom.
Some suites even have a captain’s berth-like bunk area that would be perfect for
the kids.
The new Admiral’s Suite boosts of comfy rustic but elegant furnishings and a
garden Jacuzzi tub to melt away your every day stress. The walls have been
restored to their original beauty, drawing creativity out to make the old and
new come together in a classical statement.
Melinda named the new addition the Admiral’s Suite because it was the
cornerstone for the project. When it was completed she realized that the whole
Inn needed to be updated to match the beauty of the new suite.
The Captain’s Suite now has tones of lavenders and periwinkle blue making it
masculine but appealing to men and women. Stepping out of the box, Melinda
wanted to create a way to capture the natural sunlight with the blue tones for a
soothing result.
The cranberry color in the Scott’s Suite is another of Melinda’s ideas.
All of the Suites at the 1735 House have their own personality and ensure that
our visitors will have a memorable visit and a desire to return again and again.
Coffee is still served in a wicker breakfast basket the staff prepares daily for
each suite. The basket also contains a newspaper, freshly baked muffins,
scrumptious cheese blintzes with strawberry and whipped cream, Danishes,
croissants, egg and cheese omelets, cereals, and juice. Needless to say – the
staff enjoys indulging their guests.
The 1735 House is located at 584 South Fletcher Ave in Fernandina Beach on
Amelia Island, Florida and is recognized as the closest bed and breakfast to the
ocean in the nation.
Information about rates and reservations may be obtained by calling:
1-800-872-8531 or, locally, 1-904-261-4148. E-mail
frontdesk@1735house-bb.com or
website www.1735house-bb.com.