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St. Augustine Florida
St. Augustine is a city located in St. Johns
County,
Florida, USA, in the region known as Florida's First
Coast.
St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city,
also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's most charming.
AKA the "Ancient City," Saint Augustine is located between
North East and Central East Florida.
Convenient to Jacksonville,
Orlando
and Daytona
airports.
Because of North Florida's year around mild weather, but especially
in the spring and summer months, the area's delightful historic
district, with its cobblestone streets and its quaint cafes, bars,
unique shops and bed-and-breakfast inns, comes alive with locals
and tourists setting out on foot to explore significant landmarks.
Attractions
Castillo de San Marcos
Address: 1 Castillo Drive
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904.829.6506
The Castillo de San Marcos, built 1672-1695, served primarily as
an outpost of the Spanish Empire, guarding St. Augustine, the first
permanent European settlement in the continental United States,
and also protecting the sea route for treasure ships returning to
Spain. Although the Castillo has served a number of nations throughout
its history, it has never been taken by military force. During the
18th century, the Castillo went from Spanish control to British
and back to the Spanish, all by treaty. The Spanish remained in
power in Florida until the area was purchased by the United States
in 1821. Called Fort Marion at this time, the Castillo was used
by the US army until 1899. The Castillo was made a National Monument
in 1924 and became part of the National Park system in 1933. In
1942, Congress restored the original name. The park consists of
the original historic Castillo fortress itself with its attendant
grounds, some 25 total acres.
Flagler College, with the former Ponce de Leon Hotel.
See the Legacy
Tour Flagler College
74 King Street
St. Augustine, Florida
(904) 823-3378
Tours of Flagler College highlight the architectural heritage of
the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. Built by millionaire developer Henry M. Flagler
in 1887, the Ponce is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish
Renaissance architecture and was one of the most exclusive resorts
of its day.
Flagler envisioned creating an American Riviera in St. Augustine.
In its heyday, the hotel attracted many celebrities, among them
John D. Rockefeller, John Jacob Astor, Will Rogers and Gary Cooper,
along with Presidents Grover Cleveland, Warren G. Harding and Teddy
Roosevelt.
Flagler College has spent more than $23 million throughout the
years restoring the hotel and its surrounding historic structures,
and today the public can view the stunning Dining Hall, the opulent
Grand Parlor, and the towering dome of the Rotunda, each richly
decorated with beautiful allegorical images.
Louis Comfort Tiffany designed the lavish interior of the hotel,
and 79 of his stained glass windows decorate the building. Thomas
Edison engineered the hotel's electrical and water systems.
George W. Maynard, whose graceful allegorical images also adorn
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, enhanced the hotel’s beauty
with elaborate murals. Paintings by renowned artists adorn the walls.
Ornately carved oak columns, imported marble and mosaic tiles, and
exquisite antique vases and furniture are just some of the additional
touches.
Tours of Flagler College begin in the Rotunda where you will stare
up into an 80-foot domed ceiling supported in part by eight ornately
carved oak caryatids, robed women copied from the temple of Diana
in Greece. The interior dome of the Rotunda displays murals depicting
allegorical images paying tribute to Adventure, Discovery, Conquest
and Civilization and the four elements: Earth (shown here), Air,
Fire and Water.
Other stops on the tour are the Dining Hall and the Flagler Room,
both restored for more than it cost to build the property 100 years
ago.
The finely tiled mezzanine stairway leads to the magnificent Dining
Hall where you will be surrounded by Tiffany stained glass. The
800-seat Dining Hall also boasts murals of a Spanish Galleon high
upon the barrel vaulted ceiling and painted angels of the four seasons.
Tiffany stained-glass windows surround the room and musicians’
galleries. Today students casually take their meals seated on the
original carved oak chairs imported from Austria.
The Flagler room, originally the hotel's Grand Parlor, allows visitors
to gaze upon Tiffany Austrian crystal chandeliers, a massive onyx
Thomas Edison clock - one of the first ever to be used in a public
building - and a historical photo gallery of the Flagler family.
Daily tours are available seven days a week, year-round. Tours
start in the College's Rotunda (Lobby) inside the King Street main
entrance. Tickets may be purchased 15 minutes prior to the tour
or at Flagler's Legacy, 59 Saint George Street.
Tours run twice daily. Tour times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
St. Augustine Municipal Marina
Nestled in the heart of St. Augustine, just south of the Historic
Bridge of Lions in the city's historic district, is a true treasure
for anyone traveling the Intracoastal Waterway: the St. Augustine
Municipal Marina.
This ideal location provides a picturesque and convenient harborage
for both sail and power boats with a friendly and helpful staff
that is on duty 24/7 year round. Fuel, oil, ice and two complimentary
pump-out stations are conveniently located on the fuel dock, and
the marina has clean and secure restroom/shower facilities and a
laundromat.
St. Augustine Municipal Marina provides all the amenities necessary
for an enjoyable stay, plus the added benefit of being located in
the center of "The Nation’s Oldest City." You can
enjoy historic sights, four-star restaurants, home style diners,
gift shops, art galleries, antique stores and one-of-a-kind attractions
all just a short walk from the safe, casual environment of the St.
Augustine Municipal Marina.
The Colonial Spanish Quarter
The Colonial Spanish Quarter is a living history museum. Costumed
interpreters relive a time when St. Augustine was a remote outpost
of the Spanish Empire. The Quarter illustrates the life of Spanish
Soldiers and their families in 1740 St. Augustine.
Tradesman go about their occupations in blacksmithing, carpentry,
leatherworking, candlemaking and other trades. The visitor experiences
how these families lived, grew, and cooked their food and tended
their livestock.
The museum is open daily from 9:00am to 5:30pm (except Christmas
Day). Tour and school groups are welcome. Please call 904-825-6830.
Lightner Museum, in the former Hotal Alcazar.
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