Travel with Terri
St. Augustine: America Begins Here
By Terri Marshall, Photos by Jennifer Acocella
Despite its location on the Northeast coast of Florida, St. Augustine is not just a beach town – it is a living history lesson. The area now known as St. Augustine was first explored in 1513 by Juan Ponce de Leon who claimed the area for the Spanish crown. The area was first settled by Pedro Menendez de Aviles on August 28, 1565 – the feast day of Augustine of Hippo. Menendez’s goal was to fortify the area to protect his people and supplies. Menendez had a contract with King Phillip of Spain providing him three years to import 500 African slaves. So it was that the start of African American slavery in the United States began in St. Augustine on the day it was founded by Menendez.
St. Augustine’s history is not limited to the Spanish, in fact evidence of nearly 500 years of American history can be seen within the 144-square block historic district including that of Spanish conquistadors, marauding pirates, defenders of a colonial empire, slaves and slave hunters, American Frontiersmen and women, Seminole Indian tribes, New York’s social elite and civil rights champions. Every chapter of America’s history is represented in this relatively small community. St. Augustine is definitely not your average beach town!
For over 30 years, Old Town Trolley Tours have provided visitors an excellent starting point for exploration of this historic community. Tour conductors narrate with a mix of information, humor and trivia. Stops on the tour include the Old Jail, St. Augustine’s History Museum and the world famous spring declared by Ponce de Leon as the Fountain of Youth. The tours are designed so that you can hop on and off for independent exploration at each stop. With 22 stops and over 100 points of interest, the trolley tours provide a comprehensive overview of St. Augustine’s attractions. Tickets are good for three consecutive days of exploration making the Old Town Trolley Tours an excellent value as well as an interesting and informative source of transportation during your visit. And if you are still determined to make this a beach town – shuttles are also provided to the beach! http://trolleytours.com/st-augustine/
Perhaps a lesser known historical sight in St. Augustine is Fort Mose (Moe-say), the first free black settlement in the United States. History teaches us of runaway slaves seeking sanctuary in the North by way of the Underground Railway during Civil War times, but nearly a century prior many followed the Underground Railway south escaping to Spanish Florida. They were granted their freedom if they would pledge their allegiance to the King of Spain and join the Catholic Church. The Fort Mose Historical Society is committed to bringing the fascinating stories of these slaves out of our hidden history. http://www.fortmose.org/
St. Augustine is home to Flagler College, a liberal arts college named for Henry Flagler – an American tycoon, real estate developer, railroad developer and partner of John D. Rockefeller. Mr. Flagler first set his sights on historic St. Augustine in 1882 for its potential as a winter resort for the social elite in New
York. In 1887 he commissioned a New York City architectural firm to design the Ponce de Leon Hotel which now serves as a residence hall at the center of Flagler College. This architectural masterpiece was the first building in Florida to be wired with electricity – the process of which was personally assisted by Thomas Edison. Additionally, Louise Comfort Tiffany of the famed Tiffany Stained Glass created the stained glass inside the hotel. The other structures comprising the campus were created in the same architectural style as the original hotel making this a beautiful addition to St. Augustine’s attractions.
St. Augustine’s historic village known as Old City is home to America’s Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. Constructed of red cedar and cypress and held together by wooden pegs and handmade nails, this historic structure was built over 200 years ago. It stands just inside the old city gates amidst a quaint historic village filled with artisan crafts. Old City is also home to some of St. Augustine’s finest restaurants and quaint bed and breakfasts.
Not interested in a history lesson? Remember, St. Augustine is really just a beach town complete with a lighthouse, pristine beaches and water sports of all varieties – it just happens to be where America started. http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. You can contact Terri at [email protected]