This afternoon Cindy and I took a one hour horse and buggy ride through the historic district on Amelia Island. What a great time we had listening to stories about colorful characters and families that lived on the island in the 1800s. Many of their decendants still live in the houses today, many generations later. The horse drawing the carriage is a Belgium horse named Indy because he was born in Indiana. Rita was our guide and she really knew the history she talked about. The weather was perfect for our adventure.
We also saw various locations in the city where the movie Pippi Longstocking was filmed. 
One of the houses Rita pointed out was owned by a gentleman (?) who owned a saloon and brothel. After he closed his saloon for the evening and went home, he would go to the 3rd story lookout of his house and watch for ships entering the harbor. Then he would go back and open his saloon for business again. The name of this establishment is called the Palace Saloon, which is still operating today, minus the brothel.
Another interesting story took place in the 1800s about a gentleman, that supposedly was less than desirable for parents to want their daughters to date, much less marry. Evidently, at the age of 54 he fell in love with a 17 year old girl and wanted to marry her. Her parents were not happy and the father challenged him to a duel. Instead of the duel, the girl and the gentleman eloped to Cuba. He realized that he needed to come back to the United States to run his businesses. To show his wife how much he loved her, he built the largest house on the island, which as of today is still the largest on the island, it’s 10,000 square feet. According to legend, after two years of marriage, her family realized that he was a good husband that loved his wife and he was accepted into the family. Since she loved to dance, one floor in the house has a large ballroom. 
The courthouse, built in 1891, is still being used as the courthouse. Across the street from the courthouse is the Lesesne House built in 1860. 
Rita told us that she recently purchased a carriage that was owned by Lucy Carnagie, she uses it for special occasions. It was built in the early 1900s, by a French carriage maker and shipped by boat from New York to Amelia Island. Lucy Carnagie used the carriage as her transportation around the island.
Any new housing or buildings are required to look like the old historic structures. When Rita pointed out some buildings and houses, that were new, we could not tell they weren’t old like others.
What a great day we had together. In the past two weeks Cindy and I got to have lots of fun together, see many interesting sights, and of course at great foods, and desserts. We also went to a GREAT cupcake store and bought cupcakes and ice cream and had dessert while we relaxed at night.
