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There's no other place in America like it!
St. Augustine is the oldest city chronicled in the USA. It is considered the oldest lasting-settlement in the continental land of North America where Alaska, Canada, and the United States now exist. It was founded on September 8, 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles for the King of Spain, Philip II. This was fifty years after Ponce de Leon sailed along the shores of St. Augustine and discovered Florida. Between 1500 and 1640, St. Augustine was a strategic sea and land base for the Spanish to block foreign advances against the Spanish Empire in New Spain. The city is named after St. Augustine because Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on land and established this city on the feast day of St. Augustine, September 8.
This old city had an early history of survival against great odds. It was attacked and burned down in 1586 by Sir Francis Drake's English troops. It survived this attack only to be completely burned down by a fire in 1593. In 1599 a hurricane hit Florida and flooded St. Augustine and almost washed it away.
Since St. Augustine seemed very vulnerable to attack from the sea through the inlet into its bay, the Spanish built the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672-1695. This structured replaced 9 wooden forts before it. It was built of coquina (white sand stone composed of seashells and sea materials) stone and was armed with cannons to defend the city.
The British took control of St. Augustine from 1763-1784 by a peace treaty at the end of the 7 Year War (French and Indian War). Spain gave Florida to England in order to regain Cuba. The Spanish were given back Florida along with St. Augustine for close to forty years (1784-1821) after they assisted the young American Colonies to fight off the British Empire in the American Revolution. In 1819, Spain relinquished Florida to the United States. St. Augustine was 256 years old on July 10, 1821, as the American representatives took control of the city and territory. On that day the Stars and Stripes were first flown over Castillo de San Marcos and they have remained there ever since.
St. Augustine was center stage in the Seminole Indian Wars which ended in 1842. Castillo de San Marcos (then know as Fort Marion) was used as a prison during the Second Seminole Indian war. Two famous Seminole Indian chiefs were imprisoned there. They were Osceola and Coacoochee. Coacoochee escaped this "escape-proof" prison but was later captured and sent to the West.
St. Augustine was 300 years old in 1865, at the end of the Civil War. The city was not greatly involved in that war even though Florida had become a member of the confederacy. In 1862 the Union Army arrived by gunboat and occupied St. Augustine and assumed command of the fort without fighting. The city never experienced any major devastation from the Civil War.
After the Civil War, Florida became a winter retreat for northern visitors. Henry Morrison Flagler spent his honeymoon with his second wife in St. Augustine, Florida. He fantasized that the city and state could become a winter resort for the northern rich. He then financed the economic development of the city and created what was called the great "Gilded Age" empire of hotels and railroads which extended from St. Augustine to Key West.
In 1888 Flagler opened his largest hotel the Ponce de Leon Hotel which is now home to Flagler College. He also opened two other large hotels in the city and was responsible for a number of beautiful churches built in the community at the time.
St. Augustine has gone on to become a seat of historical and tourist interest. It is filled with a rich assortment of treasures both natural and architectural. It is my hope that you will enjoy some of what we have taken back from our visit to this historical treasure.
Castillo de San Marco
The Castillo de San Marco was built in its current stone structure by the Spanish from 1672-1695. It sits overlooking the inlet which enters the Atlantic Ocean.
The Fort was armed with many cannons. The walls of the fort were made of coquina stone. It was able to sustain mortar shells and for this reason it remains standing to this day.
The moat around the inner wall of the fort was dry. Unfortunately over the years those who controlled this historic treasure thought it would be nice to fill the moat with water. Unfortunately the water cracked the walls of the coquina stone which is white sand stone composed of fragments of seashells and sea materials.
The moat is not visible to the eye when at ground level to the fort. It was intentionally made this way so as to surprise any attackers.
The fort was held by the Spanish until 1763 when it was handed over to the English. It was called Ft. Marion from that time. It was then handed back to the Spaniards for forty years from 1784-1821. Finally in 1821, the fort was taken over by the Americans. The Americans used the fort as a prison during the American-Indian Wars and house the famous Seminole Indian leaders Osceola and Coachoochee.
Lightner Museum
When it opened its doors in 1889, Henry Flagler's Alcazar Hotel, with its distinctive Spanish Renaissance styling, staggered guests with its style and opulence. The building now houses the Lightner Museum, featuring an intriguing array of items, from Native American artifacts, to stuffed birds, steam-engine models and more.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The original "Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum" is a popular tourism destination in St. Augustine, Florida. The museum is located at 19 San Marco Avenue, just north of the Castillo de San Marco fort.
During his career, Ripley visited a total of 201 countries and collected unbelievable souvenirs that are on display. In this "original" museum you will find the most amazing and bizarre artifact from a very strange world.
Alligator Farm
This is a brilliant zoo that offers many different activities for kids to participate in, and has three exciting exhibits - Land of Crocodiles, Exotic Birds and Gomek Forever.
See rare and exotic birds, mammals and reptiles and the magnificent Maximo. Maximo is a giant crocodile from Australia and measure over 15 feet and weighs 1250 pounds.
See the White Alligators, the mystical creatures from the bayous of Louisiana. There is a legend that those who gaze upon these beautiful reptiles will receive good fortune.
This is the only zoological park in the world where you can see all 23 species of crocodiles in one location.
Whetstone Chocolate Factory
For nearly 40 years the Whetstone Family has been making chocolates in St. Augustine, Florida. Esther and Henry began the tradition of excellence in chocolate making and have passed the legacy on to their children, Hank and Virginia. Equally dedicated to creating fine chocolates, they continue to promote innovative new ideas in chocolate production.
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
At 14 St. George St., one block south of the City Gate, it was built more than 200 years ago while Florida was under Spain's rule. The schoolmaster and his wife lived above the small classroom. In 1931, class survivors assembled to describe the schoolhouse for its revival. Copies of books students studied are exhibited by ''mechanical students.
Fort Matanzas
Built 1740-1742, represents a well-preserved masonry watchtower fort built by the Spanish. By providing a perch to observe enemy vessels approaching from the south, the fort played a strategic role in warning St. Augustine of potential enemy advancements from the south via the Matanzas River.
St Augustine Beaches
The St. Augustine area enjoys 43 miles of beaches. There's the right type of beach for everyone: some permit vehicles while others allow only pedestrians. Some of the area beaches produce abundant shelling opportunities, while others are covered only in luxurious fine, golden sand.
Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is located in the southern area of St. Johns County. It is situated on Anastasia Island, a wildlife refuge. This beach offers a serene, natural setting and is a great place for beachcombers. It is one of the most scenic, unspoiled beaches in Florida. Crescent beach offers boating, diving, fishing, and many other attractions. It is convenient to excellent RV and camping facilities. Location: South A1A about 25 minutes from downtown St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach is located on Anastasia Island where you can enjoy sandy beaches, the St. Johns County Pier, a playground, pavilion, fishing pier, volleyball courts, bait shops, fine restaurants, shopping and more. RV and cabin camping areas are located nearby. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated areas.
Anastasia State Park and Recreation Area
Anastasia State Recreation Park is a protected bird sanctuary and consists of 1,700-acres and five miles of beautiful, sandy beaches. It features swimming, lifeguards, a bath house, hiking, nature trails, a boat ramp, fishing, a volleyball court, beach equipment rentals such as umbrellas and beach chairs, canoes, nature trails, grills and picnic areas, concessions, a covered pavilion, gift shops, playgrounds, and camping.
Vilano Beach
This serene beach is a local "best-kept secret" offering a wide variety of vacation rentals, lodging, waterfront restaurants, the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, parasailing and Sea Doo rentals, and many parks
North (Usina) Beach
North Beach offers a serene ocean-side environment and two campsites. Enjoy the ocean and the intracoastal waterway. North Beach features great seafood restaurants, boat ramps, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and showers.
South Ponte Vedra Beach
South Ponte Vedra Beach is located in northern St. Johns County and just south of Ponte Vedra, which is home base for the PGA Tour, the Players Championship each spring, and the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour.
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