By Roi Tamkin, writer and photographer, Georgia.

Bridge of Lions over the Mantazas

Come to St. Augustine, America’s oldest city, and step back through over 400 years of history. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine has survived centuries of wars, natural disasters and medical epidemics to become a major Florida destination for fun and education. The history is as rich and diverse as the people who lived through the years of exploration, conquest, disease and triumph.

St. Augustine’s story is told at every corner from the individuals whose lives touched this city, the architecture and the coastal climate down to the very spirits that inhabit certain places and can only be seen at night.

Fifty-five years before the Pilgrims touched Plymouth Rock, the conquistador Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on North Florida’s eastern coast. He established the first European settlement in America living alongside the native population, the Timucuans. Today, that landing spot is marked by a large cross and the shrine to Mary, Our Lady of La Leche.

Shrine to Mary, Our Lady of La Leche.

As soon as the British established its colonies north of Florida, the Spanish offered freedom to escaped slaves in return for serving in the Spanish militia. In 1738, 100 former slaves built Fort Mose north of the city. Sadly, climate change and rising sea levels have destroyed the old fort, but you can visit the state park today and learn how the freed slaves lived during the Spanish era.

Fort Mose State Park Boardwalk

In the late 1700’s, immigrants from the Mediterranean island of Menorca arrived in St. Augustine seeking refuge. They brought with them their customs and traditions and lived in their own neighborhood while increasing the population of the city. Although today the Menorcans have blended in with American society, many restaurants still serve Menorcan cuisine. You might even find some local shops selling hand-crafted items of their former Mediterranean life.  

Castillo de San Marcus

The city has preserved many historic buildings and their furnishings to demonstrate how people lived through the ages. The Castillo de San Marcus is the oldest masonry fortification in the U.S. Completed in 1695, it guards the city from its colossal post by the Matanzas Bay. Henry Flagler is a name synonymous with St. Augustine’s grand architecture. He built the exquisite Ponce de Leon Hotel as a resort for the wealthy. Today it is part of Flagler College. The nearby Lightner Museum was also a renowned hotel built by Flagler. Today it houses an extensive collection of decorative arts from the Gilded Age and a large collection of Tiffany glass art.  

Gopher Tortoise Says Hello

In addition to the history and architecture, St. Augustine abounds in wildlife. All around the coast are rookeries for birds and estuaries for fish. In addition to Mose State Park is Anastasia State Park on Anastasia Island. The state park is known for its long stretch of sandy beaches, but it also home to the gopher tortoise and the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse. Walking along the shore you are bound to see crab and an abundance of shore birds. You might even spot a pod of dolphins jumping through the waves. Just don’t swim in pools of fresh water. There’s likely to be a snake or alligator lurking around.

Of course, with a city this old, ghost stories flourish. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you might want to keep your eyes open as you pass through the city gates. Stories of lost children, jilted brides and innocent men hung at the old jail are as plentiful as the seashells that make up the walls of the Castillo de San Marcus.

City Gates: Ghosts Haunt Here

Spending a couple of days on Florida’s historic coast is a trip through time while experiencing different cultures, languages, food and art. It’s also an opportunity to see alligators, birds and other sea life up close. But not too close when it comes to the alligators!

Photographs and article by Roi Tamkin, writer and photographer, Georgia.