St. Augustine, Florida
Boston, Virginia and New York are naturally at the top of the list when it comes to America’s historical locations. But did you know the distinction of the oldest city in our country belongs to St. Augustine, Florida? To be more specific, St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers and remains “the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental US.”
According to the city’s website, St. Augustine was established 42 years before Virginia’s Jamestown settlement and 55 years before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock. For many years, the establishment was besieged by British troops in their efforts to take over the area. In 1763, the Treaty of Paris gave the city to the British, but in 1783, another Treaty of Paris gave St. Augustine back to Spain as they had helped the colonies in their fight for independence from Britain. Of course, once the US got things settled, they realized the importance of the location of St. Augustine and in 1821, Spain peacefully ceded the land back to the US. In 1845, Floria became a US state however, they claimed themselves as a Confederate State during the Civil War although it was mostly occupied by Union forces during the war.
Enter Henry Flagler, one of the founders of Standard Oil and a very rich American industrialist who had a wife with tuberculosis. It was suggested they move to Florida so she could enjoy the warmer air. Unfortunately, she passed away some time after the Flaglers established themselves in Jacksonville. Henry remarried and moved with his new wife to St. Augustine where he found the area lacking in many ways. Flagler set about transforming the area into what he considered to be another “American Riviera” and built the Ponce de Leon hotel, and of course the rail transportation system to provide visitors the opportunity to make their way to St. Augustine.
If you plan to visit this historic area, book a camping stay at Encore Bulow. Highlights and must-dos include:
Castillo de San Marcos: The oldest masonry fort in the US, Castillo de San Marcos is more than 327 years old, is designated as a National Monument and provides incredible history lessons for visitors. From the architecture to the cannon firings, don’t miss this. For details on operating hours, visit nps.gov/casa.
The Lightner Museum: Housed in the original Hotel Alcazar, built by Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum. A current exhibit, Florida Before Flagler, opened October 2, and depicts Florida in the 1870s and 1880s through a series of photographs taken by photographer Hugo Meyer. Much of the museum’s permanent collection includes furnishings and art from the Gilded Age as well as American art. For details visit lightnermuseum.org.
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological State Park: Learn all about Ponce de Leon, his magic waters, his discovery of the area and more at this beautiful waterfront park that offers living history reenactments, cannon firings, and plenty of historic artifacts. More information can be found at fountainofyourthflorida.com.
There is also the Pirate & Treasure Museum, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, shopping, restaurants, food trucks, distilleries, water cruises and more. All the information you need to visit St. Augustine can be found visitaugustine.com.
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