Amos Latham - Fernandina Beach, FL
N 30° 40.392 W 081° 26.544
17R E 457622 N 3393468
A blue plaque recognizing Amos Latham is located on the oil storage building adjacent to the Amelia Island Lighthouse in Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA.
Waymark Code: WM8VBM
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/16/2010
Views: 4
The blue plaque for Amos Latham was created as part of The Great Floridians 2000 Program. According to the Florida Department of State website about this program
(visit link): "The Great Floridians 2000 program was designed to recognize individuals who distinguished themselves through their philanthropy, public service or personal or professional service, and who have enhanced the lives of Florida's citizens. In 1998, the Florida Department of State and the Florida League of Cities, to help celebrate the approaching turn of the century, initiated the program to dedicate a special series of commemorative plaques in cities throughout the state. These plaques recognized "Great Floridians 2000" by honoring men and women who made significant contributions to the history and culture of our state."
"Anyone could nominate an individual to be designated a Great Floridian 2000 by submitting a Great Floridians 2000 application. These applications were periodically reviewed by the appointed Great Floridians 2000 Committee, a group of seven distinguished historians from throughout Florida. The applications included the listing of an historical property where the plaque was affixed that was associated with the Great Floridian. Once the decisions were made, nominators were notified and advised on how and where to purchase the commemorative plaque."
The following is a biography of Amos Latham posted on the Great Floridians 2000 Program website
(visit link): "Amos Latham, a Revolutionary War veteran, was the first lighthouse keeper of the Amelia Light, Florida’s longest existing operating lighthouse. Born in 1761, he was keeper of the lighthouse on Cumberland Island, Georgia from 1829 to 1838. After the Amelia Island lighthouse was completed in 1820 it was moved to the north end of Amelia Island in 1838. Mr. Latham became the keeper of the lighthouse in 1839 when he was 78 and continued in this capacity until his death in 1842. His Great Floridian plaque may be found at the Amelia Island Lighthouse, 215 ½ Lighthouse Circle, Fernandina Beach."