Exploring Worlds, Old & New

Showing the World to the World.

SEE ST AUGUSTINE

BACK TO FLORIDA

Table of Contents:
THE HISTORICAL DISTRICT
OUTSIDE THE HISTORICAL DISTRICT
OTHER ST AUGUSTINE SIGHTS

See St Augustine's mighty fortress.
Castillo de San Marcos.

The City has so much to offer. More than 400 years of history are crammed into an area six blocks long by three blocks wide. And that is just the Historic District.

There is a whole bunch more to see and explore.

The historical Lincolnville is just a few minutes south from King Street. Here you can learn about the good and bad history of the city’s freed people.

To the north are remains from the first attempts to settle the area by Spanish, and later freed slaves.

 The barrier Islands offer more than just white sand beaches. There’s history there as well.

(BACK TO TOP)

 

See St Augustine’s Historic District

You will see St Augustine does not learn the problems with wood construction quickly.
Once they build a fortress of stone, intruders stop burning it to the ground.

 

The Spanish are the first to arrive. You will see St Augustine has many sites reflecting their time here.

It's fun to just sit and listen to the city.
Spanish touches everywhere.

 

They also learn the hard way stone does not burn.
The 1793 Spanish Catholic Cathedral.

 

You can see St Augustine's and Florida's oldest house.
The González-Alvarez House dates to the 1700s.

 

As you will see St Augustine's early town was close to the main square.
Nearby Aviles Street has several Spanish mementos.

 

A visit here will help you appreciate how far medicine has come.
The Spanish Military Hospital is on Aviles Street.

 

The east wing dates to 1710.
The Governor House will serve and reflect several owners.

 

Next along is the French, although they never get a major foothold in St Augustine.

The Spanish Catholics did not want the French Protestants in their city.
The Huguenot Cemetery is outside of the city walls.

 

When the British arrive, they put their mark on the city.

Most of the Spanish homes were one level made from stone. The British would add wooden second floors.
The Rodriguez Alvarez house is one of many that may have an English addition. Some call the mixture of styles the St Augustine style.

 

This mixing of styles creates a new look. See St Augustine style.
The barracks begin as a Spanish monastery, but the British make them into barracks.

 

The last major influence on the St Augustine architecture comes from the United States towards the end of the 1800s. Many of their contributions inspire others.

Many call the Alhambra Spanish architecture. Although it is in Spain, at the time, it was under the control of the Moors.
Villa Zorayda, with inspiration from the Moorish Alhambra, will influence other architects.

 

Many large structures will copy this Moor-like style.
The Ponce de Leon Hotel, where do you think Flagler got his idea from?

 

With Tiffany doing the interiors, it was unique on the inside as well.
The “Ponce” is like nothing seen in America.

 

It is more of an additional wing to the first hotel, but it has its own name.
The Alcazar will join the Ponce two years later.

 

He will sell the hotel to Flagler two years later.
The owner of Villa Zorayda builds the Casa Monica Hotel adjacent.

 

As you can see, St Augustine has a lot going on in the historic district. But that’s not all there is.

(BACK TO TOP)

 

See St Augustine Outside the Historic District.

You will see St Augustine churches seem to be in a competition for style.
The old Baptist Church has intriguing architecture.

 

My steeple is taller than yours.
The Presbyterian Church nearby has a dome visible from blocks away.

 

The original church is where he wants to build the Alcazar.
Grace United Methodist Church is a gift from Henry Flagler, who wants their land.

 

Hats off to the owners who took the hard way and renovated a 100+ year old building.
A few blocks west of the hotels is the old electric and ice plant. Today it is a distillery.

Lincolnville has numerous interesting structures, including a former slave cabin.

You will see St Augustine has many contradictions. With segregation, the school is no longer needed.
The Lincolnville Museum is in a former school.

 

It is a church school for many years.
The nearby Baptist church plays a key role in Lincolnville’s history.

 

North of town are additional interesting areas.

Pregnant mothers still make a pilgrimage here.
The chapel at the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum.

 

He also funds a nearby water pump house.
On the right with a tower, the Old Jail is another gift from Flagler who needs them to move.

 

It is make out of stainless steel.
The 208-foot Great Cross at the mission marks the 400th anniversary.

Can you begin to see St Augustine is more than just the Historic District? There are more than five other historic neighborhoods in addition to the Historic District.

(BACK TO TOP)

See St Augustine’s Other Sites

213 steps will allow you to reach the top of the lighthouse.
The town with America’s oldest port must have a great maritime history. The Lighthouse Museum can shine a light on that.

 

Although not unique to St Augustine, its fun to see.
The Oldest Alligator Farm in America dates back to the late 1800s.

 

There are a few markers to explain the site.
The Cochina Quarries are mostly overgrown. But it makes a nice walk and usually is not crowded.

 

See St Augustine Summary

There are so many layers, where do you begin?

You can no longer arrive by train. The hotels built by Flagler no longer offer hotel rooms. Yet the Casa Monica, once his rival, is a lovely boutique hotel today.

You can still see St Augustines style.
The motor lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel.

 

There are so many influences on the city. When you think you have seen it all, there is something different.

This is a destination you want to do a little homework on before visiting. It just helps the immersion.

What are you waiting for? See St Augustine now.

(BACK TO TOP)

 

BACK TO ST AUGUSTINE

TASTE FLORIDA

BACK TO FLORIDA