The Nation’s Oldest Cities - St. Augustine

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European American origin in the United States. The Downtown Historic District is where you will find the majority of the city’s activity. This is the oldest part of the city with many buildings dating back to the 1700’s. One of the really nice things about St. Augustine is how so much of the historic old city is preserved including the narrow lanes and alleys and the entry old buildings. St. George Street is considered the heart of the city.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The Memorial Presbyterian Church, was designed by Carrere & Hastings and was built by Henry Flagler as a memorial to his daughter, Jenny Louise Benedict, who died during childbirth complications. The church was dedicated in 1890 and the ceremony was attended by many dignitaries.

The Ponce de Leon Hotel was another project Flagler chose Carrere & Hastings to design.

The home of the present Lightner Museum was originally the Hotel Alcazar build by Flagler and was another design by Carrere & Hastings.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine was built between 1793-1797, and is National Historic Landmark.

Do you like the images posted?
Click here to explore the shop.

St. Augustine in the 1930s and 1940s (Postcard History Series)

By Bowen, Beth Rogero, the St. Augustine Historical Society

Mr. Flagler’s St. Augustine

By Graham, Thomas

St. Augustine in the Gilded Age (Postcard History: Florida)

By Rogero Bowen, Beth, St. Augustine Historical Society

A vintage advertisement mural at the Trolly Welcome Center

The door handle advertising the original occupant of this King Street building. The lunch counter in this Woolworth was the site of the 1963 Sit-In Civil Rights Movement by the St. Augustine Four who were arrested and taken to jail.

This is the oldest street in St. Augustine, Aviles Street.

.

Walk down quaint street with interesting architecture

.

.

.

.

The side view of the former Ponce de Leon Hotel, now Flagler College.

A few of the items on display at the Lightner Museum

.

The Treasury Building originally opened in 1927 as the area’s central bank and now has become an event space.

A few items on display at the Trolly Visitors Center

.

.

Magnolia Avenue’s Oak Canopy, Sy. Augustine’s most icon street.

Established in 1821, the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lincolnville is one of the oldest in the city. Lincolville was establishment after 1865, when plantation land was subdivided and leased or sold to veterans of the U.S. Colored Troops. It grew into an area where many prominent African American business owners and professionals lived.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse was erected in 1874, and is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure

Grace United Methodist Church built by Flagler in 1887.

.

Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States and a National Monument. The fort is the site of an interesting story about a group of Apaches taken prisoner here in 1886 and efforts were made to American-ize them.

Inside Castillo de San Marco, the oldest fort in America

.

.

The Old City Gates of St. Augustine is a noted landmark, constructed of coquina in 1808.

More of the eclectic architecture

.

.

.

Henry Flagler sold a parcel of land to Franklin W. Smith, and Smith built the Casa Monica Hotel on that site, and opened on New Years Day 1888. The hotel did not do well financially and four months after opening, Smith, incredibly desperate, sold the hotel to Henry Flagler and he named it Hotel Cordova.

.

.

Some interior images of the Hotel Casa Monica

.

.

Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church

.

Inside Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church

.

.

Henry M. Flagler and his wife are entombed in the family mausoleum, which is located inside the church.

The ‘Great Cross’ was erected in 1996 to mark the 400th anniversary and the 11-foot bronze statue of depicting Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales preaching the Gospel. He is considered to be the first parish priest and the first pastor in the United States.

In the early 1600’s, the Spanish settlers established the first shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary and today is known as The Shrine of Our Lady of Le Leche.

Tovar House built in the early 1700’s

The Oldest House Museum Complex includes the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, the Manucy Museum. The Oldest House has been occupied Ince the 1600’s.

Inside the Oldest House Museum Complex

.

A vintage truck outside of the Ice House / St. Augustine Distillery building. When Flagler’s hotels were in operation, this building was where they stored ice, and eventually made the ice here.

In St. Augustine Distillery

.

What you should know:

• Public restrooms are available.

• There is plenty to see while walking the streets of St. Augustine.

• On the street parking is available, some metered; check posted parking regulations signs. There are also paid parking garages nearby.

• There is free parking at the Old Town Trolly Welcome Center if you choose to do trolly Tour.

• You could spend a day to several days here exploring the city depending on your level of interest.

• There are many area restaurant options.

For more information: St. Augustine