St. Augustine, Florida is a treasure trove of historical adventures and exciting tales of bravery and survival. Four centuries of history are contained within both ancient edifices and villages reliving the days of old. History lovers young and old will come away from this magnificent European-style city with a feel for the past and a love of St. Augustine's beauty and age.
What makes St. Augustine, Florida
a mecca for aspiring historians and curious travelers alike? Although Santa
Fe and San Antonio
can boast Hispanic culture, they are nowhere near as old and venerable as this
ancient Spanish outpost. In the 430-plus years since its beginning, St.
Augustine has become famous for many things. The
distinction of "Oldest City"
makes it a tourist destination to thousands; looking beyond the souvenir shops
and modern amenities, there is a city rich with hundreds of years of historical
significance.
St. Augustine has a certain aura
to the visitor. The ancient coquina-rock walls and balconied houses along St.
George Street's shopping district are reminiscent
of old Spain,
and there is much history behind those walls.
Founding and Flowering of America's
Ancient City
St. Augustine's actual birth
occurred on September 08, 1565,
when it was declared a Spanish municipality by explorer Don Pedro Menendez de
Aviles, but its origins as a Native American town go many hundreds of years
before that date. The Timucuan Indians were prospering along the banks of the St.
Johns River when Menendez and his seasoned warriors arrived, and
quickly gave the Indian council house to the soldiers to use as a base.
Although relations grew ugly in the coming months, the Spaniards were here to
stay.
For two hundred years, Spaniards retained control of San Agustin, as they
knew it, and made it into an enduring Spanish colony. Many times the citizens
faced death by pirate attacks, floods, storms and warfare, but the city always
showed its courage by pulling through. By the 1800s, St.
Augustine was known for the healthful glow it put back
into the faces of the chronically ill, and those who came to enjoy the health
benefits came away with a sense of awe for this ancient city. Over the decades,
ancient houses that had fallen into decay were restored, streets were covered
with cobblestone to add to the historic flavor, and walkways and gardens were
beautified.
Some of St. Augustine's
historical attractions are out in the open for all to see, such as the
400-year-old Castillo de San Marcos,
a Spanish defensive fortress; others, like Fort
Matanzas, are more obscured to the
common tourist. How does one begin exploring the historical aspects of the
city? A guidebook is helpful in determining what to see first, and the
trolley and carriage tour guides will impart you with some good leads.