August 4, 2016

Historic St. Augustine

Took an Old Town Trolley tour of St. Augustine today.  Similar to the one we took in Savanah in that it has a running narration by the driver about the city and sights seen and has multiple stops at which you can get off, wander on your own, and then catch a later trolley and continue on.

St. Augustine is the oldest settlement/town/city in the New World / United States.  Has existed under five different flags.  Lots of old buildings of several different architectural styles and all in good repair.  There are many tourist attractions but unlike every other tourist destination we have seen the attractions here have a low key appearance or are even concealed.  There is no gaudiness at all.  Driving through the historic city is very esthetic and pleasant.

Former apothecary now is a wax museum.

 

This monument marks the start of the Spanish Trail.  Other end – San Diego, Ca.  It is made of a very interesting stone called coquina. Many of the buildings and the very formidable Castillo de San Marcos are made of this.  It is very forgiving to external stresses.

 

 

Historic entrance gate to the old city.

 

Oldest school house in North America

View down one of the streets in historic St. Augustine.

Oldest house in St. Augustine

 

One wing of the huge and impressive Memorial Presbyterian Church built by business tycoon Henry Flagler as a memorial to his daughter who died from complications after giving birth to his granddaughter who also died.  This total building time was less than a year.

 

This building was built by Flagler as a very large and very upscale hotel.  Over 400 rooms.  Had electricity before White House.  Electrical system designed by Thomas Edison.  Fun fact:  Flagler had to hire people to turn lights on and off for guests as they (the guests) were afraid to touch the switches.  This picture is very inadequate.  This building is HUGE.  Literally covers a whole city block.  The dining room can seat hundreds and has stained glass windows by Tiffany and valued in the millions.  The former hotel is now Flagler College.  Pretty pricy but an impressive place to go to school.

 

Castillo de San Marcos.  Very impressive.

 

The very first ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’ museum.