A Trip To St. Augustine

Today's post features some vintage photos from December 1940-January 1941 of a trip to St. Augustine.

In the yard at rear of the oldest house in U.S. at St. Augustine, Florida - Taken January 1, 1941

St. Augustine, Florida

The Bridge of Lions

St. Augustine, Florida

One of the two massive lions made of Italian Marble, places at the west approach of the bridge in honor of Ponce de Leon.  this historic bridge spans the Manazas River, connecting St. Augustine with Anastasia Island.

Cathedral of St. Augustine

St. Augustine, Florida

The Cathedral of St. Augustine is the home of America's oldest Christian parish in North America.

St. Augustine, Florida

Carriages and Bridge of Lions

St. Augustine, Florida

Bridge of Lions spans Matanzas Bay to Anastasia Island.  The lions, at the west approach to the bridge, are emblematic of Ponce de Leon.

City Gate

St. Augustine, Florida

The City Gate of St. Augustine once firmly sealed the colony against its many enemies.  Today, protected by the National Park Service, it remains eternally open in welcome to visitors.

The City Gates to Historic St. Augustine, Florida.st

St. Augustine, Florida

Flagler College

St. Augustine, Florida

Formerly the Ponce de Leon Hotel.  Facing King St.  This building is acclaimed as one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture in America.  Designed by Carrere and Hastings, built by Henry Flagler, pioneer developer of the Florida East Coast in 1885, during the period when St. Augustine was America's Riviera.

Flagler Memorial Church

St. Augustine, Florida

Corner Valencia and Sevilla Streets.  Beautiful example of Venetian Renaissance architecture.  The Flagler Mausoleum adjoins the church.

Beacon of Faith Cross

St. Augustine, Florida

This 208 foot stainless steel Great Cross now marks the place where Christianity was first permanently planned in the U.S.

St. Augustine, Florida

Fort Marion, (formerly San Marcos Castle) was begun y the Spaniards in 1665 and required 91 years in building slaves being compelled to do the work.

The walls are about 12 ft. thick at the base, 9 ft. at the top, and about 25 ft. high.  The structure covers about five acres.  It was bombarded in 1740 by Governor Oglethorpe of the Colony of Georgia.  It is built of coquina and is said to be the best preserved specimen in the world of the military architecture of its time.  It is the oldest fortification on the western continent.  Its walls and watch towers remain intact, but its guns are dismounted and the moat is dry.   It is in all respects a castle built after the plan of those of the middle ages in Europe.

There are inner and outer barriers, the barbacan, teh draw bridge portcullis, wicket and all appliances of such fortifications..  In 1833 a secret dungeon was discovered in the north east bastion, in which was found crumbled human bones.

Castillo De San Marcos

St. Augustine, Florida

The Castillo was started in 1672, to succeed the last one of nine wooden forts, which since 1565 had protected St. Augustine.  The 16 foot thick walls are made of coquina, a shellrock, quarried from pits across the bay on Anastasia Island.  This fortification, remarkably well preserved, is an excellent example of Spanish Renaissance military practices.

Castillo De San Marcos

National Monument

St. Augustine, Florida

Construction of this old Spanish fort, built of native coquina rock, was begun in 1672.  It is the oldest stone fort in the United States.

St. Augustine, Florida

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida:  Oldest Fort standing in the U.S. was proclaimed a National Monument in 1924.  The construction began in 1672 and was completed in 1756.  The picture shows in middle ground the hot shot oven where cannon balls were heated red before firing, in order to set fire to enemy ships.

Old City Gates, St. Augustine, Florida.  the present City Gates were built about 1804, and were part of an older wall that surrounded the ancient city for protection.  the drawbridge leading to the gates was raised at sundown in the early days and late comers were forced to obtain special permission to enter.

The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Fla.  Juan Ponce de Leon landed in this vicinity on April 3, 1513, on his unsuccessful quest for the waters of eternal life.  the Fountain of Youth spring, surrounded by coquina walls, is preserved as a memorial to this famous Spanish explorer.  Visitors are conducted on guided tours from the spring to the ancient Indian burial grounds.

St. Augustine, Florida

Fort Marion (Formerly Fort San Marco) was begun by the Spaniards in 1565, and required 190 years in building, slaves being compelled to do the work.

The thickest part of the fort walls is 40 ft. The structure covers five acres. It was bombarded in 1744 by Governor Oglethorpe of the Colony of Georgia. It is built of coquina and is said to be the best preserved specimen in the world of the military architecture of its time. It is the oldest fortification on the western continent. Its walls and watch towers remain intact but its guns are dismounted and the moat is dry. It is in all respects a castle built after the plan of those of the middle ages in Europe.

There are inner and outer barriers, the barbican, the draw bridge, portcullis, wicket and all appliances of such fortifications. In 1836 the terreplein of the north east bastion caved in, exposing a deep and dismal dungeon. Impelled by curiosity the U.S. Military Engineer descended into this dungeon, where to his surprise, he discovered the skeleton of a man and woman in iron cages bolted to the wall.

The Arch, Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Fla.

Encline used by Spaniards for transporting cannon from plaza to terreplein, steps being modern. Arch of great strength without a key-stone.

St. Augustine, Florida

Watch Tower, Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Fla.

Commanding a view of approach by both land and sea.

 

Zorayda Castle

St. Augustine, Florida

Famous old Spanish Castle inspired by renowned Alhambra of Granada, Spain. Houses, fabulous treasures and secrets, amid Moorish splendor.

 

Oldest House

Spanish Sitting Room and Fireplace

St. Augustine, Florida

“Nation’s Oldest City”

St. Augustine, Florida

Lightner Museum

St. Augustine City Hall

Formerly the Alcazar Hotel, constructed in 1888 by Henry M. Flagler.

Enter into a world of Yesterdays.

 

Oldest house…interior view

St. Augustine, Florida

“Nation’s Oldest City”

 

Old Slave Market, St. Augustine, Fla.

The old slave market in the east end of the Plaza is an interesting landmark of antebellum days. It was used as a public market in which slaves were occasionally sold.

St. Augustine, Florida

Some examples from the extensive display of leaded glass shades and windows, many by Louis C. tiffany, featured in the Lightner Museum, King Street, St. Augustine, Florida.  “A World of Yesterdays”.  Open daily.

Oldest Wooden School House in the United States

St. Augustine, Florida

 

Old City Gates, St. Augustine, Fla.

Built 1743, consisting of two square pillars of coquina rock, 20 feet in height, 10 feet thick; walls are 30 feet in length and 10 feet thick, space between pillars is 12 feet and were protected with heavy iron bound gates, and the approach was by way of a draw-bridge over the moat or ditch.