Italia
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 30° 36.952 W 081° 43.021
17R E 431275 N 3387250
Located between I-95 and Callahan along FL A1A.
Waymark Code: WMF11A
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 08/04/2012
Views: 13
The town of Italia was founded here in 1882 by Irish-born entrepreneur William MacWilliams. Italia was located at milepost 18 on the Florida Transit Railroad, which ran from Fernandina to Cedar Key. The town began when former U.S. Senator David Levy Yulee, President of the Florida Transit Railroad, convinced MacWilliams to build a brick factory here. Timber business soon came to Italia with the openings of a wood-shingle mill and a sawmill to take advantage of nearby forests. By 1885, Italia had about 100 inhabitants and included a depot, post office, and general store. Products made here were used in commercial and residential buildings in Fernandina and many other northeast Florida locations. Thomas J. Shave brought new life to Italia when he built a turpentine still in 1905. By 1910, turpentine was the area's primary business. Italia suffered a fatal blow in the mid-1920s when the railroad was re-routed from Callahan to Gross, leaving the town without a viable link to distant markets. MacWilliams named his town Italia, reflecting a then-popular Florida marketing campaign which promoted the state as "America's Italy" because of its similar peninsular shape and temperate climate.
Marker Number: F-731
Date: 2012
County: Nassau
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: The Friends of Italia and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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Please post a photo at the marker location.