Building upon the mythical tale of Spanish explorers and their chimerical search for the Fountain of Youth, this archaeological park tells the history of the first encounters between Native inhabitants and the new arrivals in what would become the St. Augustine. The park complex tells the story of how Native inhabitants may have convinced explorers to move beyond their own communities by telling tales of great wealth that might be found elsewhere-possibly including the tale of the Fountain of Youth that some have suggested kept Ponce de León searching in vain for its location after he arrived in Florida in 1513. The fifteen-acre complex also interprets the history of Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles, who in 1565, established what would become St. Augustine-the oldest continuously-inhabited European Settlement in the United States.
The Old Jail in St. Augustine was built by Henry Flagler in 1891 and has been largely unchanged though it has undergone renovation. It was originally built to house up to 72 prisoners and operated for over 60 years, finally closing in 1953 and becoming a museum soon after. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Visitors can take guided tours throughout the jail and learn about the prisoners and the practices that took place, as well as about the Sheriff and his family lived. A visit in enhanced by actors dressed up as deputies from the early days. The Old Jail is one of just a few prisons of its kind still standing.
St. Augustine's "Old Senator" is located in the parking lot of the Howard Johnson Inn off San Marco Avenue. This Southern Oak dates back to the era before Columbus as it was core tested by scientists who are confident that the tree is at least 600-years-old. As a result, this tree would have been standing when Ponce de Leon "discovered" the area while he searched for the chimerical Fountain of Youth.
Located in St. Augustine, the Chapel of our Lady of La Leche is where the religious ceremony of taking possession of the land in the name of God (Nombre de Dios) and of the king of Spain took place and the first Holy Mass was celebrated. Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed in 1565 and laid the foundation of the first Spanish Colony in the new continent. The present building is the fourth building on the foundation. It was rebuilt by Bishop Verot in 1873 and blown down by a storm a year later, then re-erected by Bishop Curley in 1918.
The zero milestone of the Old Spanish Trail is a spherical monument made of coquina shells located south of the St. Augustine Visitor Center. The milestone marks the end of the Old Spanish Trail auto highway that was completed in 1929 and linked San Diego, California and St. Augustine, Florida. This trail was one of the country’s original interstate routes and the highway’s name pays homage to the Spanish heritage and missions of the southwest and the south.
Located in St. John’s County across from the historic city gate lays the historic Huguenot Cemetery also known as The Public Burying Ground. In 1821, the cemetery was the first public cemetery established for the purpose of burying the non-Catholic victims of the Yellow fever. It was used again later to inter protestants and those practicing other non-Catholic religions, since the Tolomto Cemetery was strictly Catholics only. Prior to the Huguenot Cemetery being established, those of the non-Catholic faith were buried on Anastasia Island. During the last Spanish period, the last owner listed was Lorenzo Capella, who sold it to Presbyterian Reverend Thomas Alexander in 1832 under the condition that Protestants would continue to be buried here.
Tolomato Cemetery located in St Augustine, which is the oldest European city founded in Florida. The site was part of an early Franciscan and Indian mission during the early 18th century. The Indians initially came to Saint Augustine after attacks from British soldiers and hostile tribes destroyed their missions (tolomatocemetery.com). This site is located in one of the most iconic cities relevant to Florida’s history. It also included the burials of many people who played iconic roles in the early developments of Florida. Many of those people were: British, Indians, Spanish, Haitian, and American.
Constructed in 1740, this is the oldest surviving wooden school building in the United States. The schoolmaster and his wife lived upstairs, above the small classroom, which was open to both boys and girls. The school is available for daily tours for all age groups.
Located in St. Augustine, Florida, the Pirate Museum is the largest and most authentic collection of pirate artifacts in the world. It is located across the street from the historic Castillo de San Marcos. Former Philadelphia 76ers owner, Pat Croce, started the original "Pirate Soul Museum" in Key West. In 2012 it was renamed and relocated to St. Augustine.
Located in historic St. Augustine, St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine preserves the history of the first Greek community to arrive in what eventually became Florida. The shrine is housed the historic Avero House which was built in the 1760s by the De Avero family who were influential members of the St. Augustine community during the First Spanish Period. The site is known locally as the "Minorcan Chapel" as it is believed that members of the Minorcan Colony used the site for worship during the British occupation of St. Augustine. The Avero House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortification and the only remaining seventeenth-century fortress in North America. For many years, it was the northernmost fort of the Spanish Empire in the New World. It protected St. Augustine against pirate raids and the British who, at that time, were Spain’s greatest enemies. The castle was East Florida’s main defense along with others that spanned from the north of the St. Marys River, to the St. Johns River in the west, and to the Fort Matanzas in the south.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour begins at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and concludes at Castillo de San Marcos, the only remaining seventeenth-century fortress in North America. Be sure to also consider the downtown St. Augustine walking tour which starts near Castillo de San Marcos and includes many of St. Augustine's most important landmarks and museums.
