St. Augustine: History of the Nation's Oldest City

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Welcome to St. Augustine, Florida!

Saint Augustine Florida is the oldest European city in the United States. The area was first visited by Ponce de Leon in 1513, but it was Juan Menendez de Aviles who established the first settlement, almost half a century before the first English settlers landed at Jamestown. St. Augustine grew to become the Spanish center of power in North America for almost 200 years.

The 100 settlers went through the same sorts of problems that all colonists in America had to endure: a history of wars with the British, French and Native Americans, famine, plagues and one unique problem, hurricanes. In 1672 the Spanish, under the direction of Queen Mariana, built Castillo de San Marcos, a military fortress, to protect their interests from the ever expanding British Empire. St. Augustine was sacked twice by the British but the Spanish survived by laying low in the Castillo.

The British gained control of the city in 1763 and it remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary war. It was briefly returned to the Spanish in 1784 because of a provision of the Treaty of Paris. The Spanish who had left during British control came back and tried to return the city to it's former self but were thwarted by the decline of Spanish fortunes everywhere.

The Spanish sold Florida to America in 1821 and left the city. St. Augustine prospered during the Seminole war of the 1830's due to its military involvement in the war. The city eventually got good road systems and a bigger population.

In 1883, Henry Flagler (Oil Tycoon) came to the city. He was so impressed that he invested in St. Augustine's restoration and development of the city as a winter resort. Flagler contributed some of the cities grandest architecture, such as the Alcazar hotel (now the Lightner Museum), the Cordova, and the Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College).

Today, the heart of St. Augustine retains the distinctive plan of a 16th century Spanish Colonial walled town, much of which has been preserved or restored. The numerous remaining colonial buildings in the historic district present an impressive array of architecture from 1703 to 1898.

Some of the most noted buildings in the district are located on the Plaza de la Constitución, the colonial community's focal point. Here are found the Government House (governor's residence, built 1713), Trinity Episcopal Church (1825), and the Basilica Cathedral of St. Augustine which incorporates the 1797 parish church and is one of the oldest Catholic religious buildings in the U.S.

Bisecting the Plaza south and north is St. George Street, and the Old City Gates, the main street of the colonial city. Here one can find many other historic buildings such as De Mesa-Sanchez House (43 St. George Street), the Arrivas House (44 St. George), and the Avero House, now the St. Photios Greek Shrine (37 St. George).

The Oldest House, located three blocks south of the Plaza at 14 St. Francis Street, is another traditional Spanish Colonial residence built circa 1706 and is the oldest surviving residence in the city's history. This area south of the Plaza is the oldest part of St. Augustine, and there are several other original structures along narrow St. Francis, St. George, Aviles, and Marine Streets. Many are private residences, but some are open to the public.

Whisked south in their private cars on Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad, notables such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Morgans made St. Augustine their winter home, expanding the old colonial city westward on King Street and north on San Marco. The Villa Zorayda, an exotic Moorish Revival style residence with courtyards and towers built in 1883 on King Street is from this glittering era as is the Memorial Presbyterian Church (1880), and Castle Warden (1879), now Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.

Beginning in 1959 Florida has an ongoing preservation effort to restore many colonial structures to their original appearance. Historic St. Augustine has become a center of colonial Spanish culture and an favorite destination for travelers from all parts of the world.

Prior to the construction of what is known as the Bridge of Lions, an old wooden toll bridge built in 1895, served as the only access to Anastasia Island from downtown St. Augustine. After major renovations in 1904, the wood bridge accommodated an electric trolley line. Due to the increase in automobile traffic and a desire to remove an "eyesore", work began in 1925 to build a modern, high-quality bridge that would complement the City.

The present Bridge of Lions opened to traffic in 1927 and connects the historic downtown business district with Anastasia Island. The bascule drawbridge opens to allow the passage of commercial and recreational boats. In 1982, the Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The rehabilitation of the Bridge of Lions is expected to take approximately five years, providing for special requirements during construction to maintain the historic value of the structure upon completion. Originally opened to traffic in 1927 with two lion statues placed at the west end, the Bridge of Lions connects the historic heart of St. Augustine to Anastasia Island over the Matanzas River.

- St. Augustine Links and Resources for Students and Educators

- View Historical Postcard Photo Gallery of Old Saint Augustine

- Historical Map of St. Augustine, Fla.

- Read about the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project

- View Bridge of Lions Progress Photos

- Historic Sites and Museums

- Sightseeing and Tours

- Unique Bed and Breakfast Inns