Between 1880-1910, Fernandina’s docks were among the busiest in the south. Basking in her heyday, she welcomed ships from the far corners of the globe. Of the many saloons that lined the lively streets of the harbour district – and there were over 20 at the time – only one bore the distinction of being the “Shipcaptain’s Bar.” and that was the Palace. Â Originally constructed as a haberdashery in 1878, Louis G. Hirth bought the Prescott building in 1903 and replaced shoes with booze and named it the Palace Saloon.
The Palace continues to bring folks together. Old friends still gather here rubbing elbows with passing ship’s Captains and local well-to-do. And once news is swapped and formalities concluded, they get down to the more serious business of dustin’ the sea spray off their jackets and enjoying the long-awaited shoreside beer. Go ahead, belly up to the bar, and as the bartender slides a mug of suds to you, the ghosts from ten decades past join in drinking to your health.