This past week has been spent with family, and although we had lots planned when we arrived in Titusville, much was set aside to reconnect and relax with sister and niece. This visit had been a long time coming so we decided that days devoted to conversation and cooking meals together trumped lots of activities. We did explore Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore and if you find yourself in and around Titusville, I would recommend both. And of course, there is the Kennedy Space Center.
Leaving Titusville behind and arriving at our final stop in Florida for the winter, we decided to play tourist one last time before we head further north, and where better than in our nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine. In doing research you will find there is plenty to occupy your time here, whether you enjoy history, the beach, culture, nightlife, shopping, or delving into the paranormal. And when you tire of all this sightseeing, there are many interesting restaurants downtown to saté your appetite.
The trolley seems to be the most popular way to traverse this city, with about 20 stops along the route, allowing you to hop off and on at your leisure, all while getting a little history lesson from your driver. We prefer to walk instead, planning our own route and getting some exercise, unless the city we are in is too spread out and St. Augustine is a very walkable city. There are plenty of brochures to grab from the visitor center to educate you about this historic city and a public parking garage right at the visitor center that can be accessed for $10/day.
This is where colonial America began, 55 years before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. First visited by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, St. Augustine was later founded by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565. Over three years Avilés would import 500 African slaves to this city, the first slaves brought to this country, a sad piece of history.
Over many years the Spanish, French, British and finally the United States fought for control of St. Augustine. I am not a huge history buff so I will leave you to read the details online if you are interested. There are two forts in the city, Fort Matanzas and Castillo de San Marcos, for those who love history, and we found both to be interesting.
Our interest in this historic city lies more in the striking architecture found around the Old Town area, particularly some of the old hotels and churches, almost all that were influenced by Henry Flagler, a Standard Oil executive and partner to John D. Rockefeller. In the 1880’s Mr. Flagler decided that St. Augustine should be a winter resort for the wealthy. The stunning details in the Lightner Museum (formerly Hotel Alcazar), Flagler College (once the grounds for the Ponce de Leon luxury hotel), and the Memorial Presbyterian Church were certain to lure the affluent.
Tours are given at many sights around the city, some for a small fee and some that are free of charge. We found the docent-led tour of the Memorial Presbyterian Church to be fascinating, and the architecture had already drawn us in.
Built in 1889 by Henry Flagler, this is the only Presbyterian church of its kind in the world. It is of the Venetian Renaissance architecture style, shown in the copper dome and ornate terra-cotta frieze, and was inspired by St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. It is breathtaking both inside and out.
This sacred building was a labor of love for Henry Flagler, dedicated to his daughter Jennie Louise Benedict, who died due to childbirth complications the same year this church was constructed, hence the word “memorial” in the name. Every last detail reflects Flagler’s loving touch, particularly the 92 stained-glass windows, designed by German artist Herman Schladermundt. Each window represents a segment of the “Apostle’s Creed” and they are all spectacular.
I must admit that until we arrived in St. Augustine I did not realize the importance of this city to the Civil Rights movement. On June 9, 1964, Andrew Jackson Young, Jr., Civil Rights activist, led a march from Lincolnville, a St. Augustine district founded by former slaves, to the downtown plaza. Mr. Young was sent to the city by his friend, Martin Luther King, Jr., to organize a peaceful human rights protest. When his group arrived at the downtown plaza, they were confronted by a large white mob and were beaten. Always vigilant to Dr. King’s non-violent strategy, they walked away. This was a pivotal event that aided in the signing of the Civil Rights Bill on July 2, 1964.
These bronze footsteps, incorporated into the sidewalk that runs diagonally through the plaza, honor this leader who received his first beating in the Civil Rights movement.
Our nation’s oldest city is rich in history, expressed in both her simplest of buildings and her most opulent. Although a part of her story reflects some of our nation’s less than proudest moments, St. Augustine still maintains a charm all her own.
From here we continue north into the “Peach State” ~ Georgia.
Paint Your Landscape 
What a wonderful tour of St. Augustine, LuAnn! The architecture is gorgeous (especially the Presbyterian church). We’ll be back in Florida next winter, and St. Augustine is on our list of places to visit. The fact that it’s so walkable makes it even more appealing. Looks as though you had a sweet visit with family, too. You’ve certainly seen a lot of Florida this winter. It’s been lovely seeing it through your eyes.
Thanks Laurel and although I said this will probably be our only visit, since we have so much more of the country to see, I doubt that will be the case. Florida has so much to offer.
We would pass up sightseeing any day to be with family or friends.
Paul’s brother has a home on Amelia Island. We have been there tons of time and never made the time to go to St. Augustine. Yours is the second blog I have read this winter that did a terrific tour of the lovely city. I just told Paul to add that to our bucket list for the very next time we get to that area. Thanks so much for the great job. The photos are lovely.
Thanks Marsha. We were not sure what to expect. There is that part of St. Augustine that was very touristy, but when you get beyond that, it is a lovely city with so much to see and do.
We haven’t been to St. Augustine in many, many years. I don’t remember seeing it the way you did. Thanks for this very enlightening tour:) The Presbyterian church is gorgeous and so unique.
So glad you had time to just relax and enjoy your family making memories.
Travel safely as you move north.
Although St Augustine has many of the tourist trappings that you would expect to see, it offered plenty to see and do. Just knowing we were in our nation’s oldest city was fascinating.
LuAnn..That family time is so precious and those memories will last forever. Thanks for the tour. We are leaving Atlanta next week heading back out west for another year.
Travel safely. We will be heading out west later this year.
Hi LuAnn: Hope you are well! For some strange reason I’m not getting any WP emails lately, not posts, comments, etc. I am only finding them in my reader or dashboard. Are you having any similar problems? So frustrating! Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do!
I have not had that problem, but if I did, I would be frustrated as I rely on WP emails to catch up with other blogs. Hope you get this resolved soon. We are well; thanks for asking. BTW, I loved your Cuba posts. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn! I sent in a request to WP as I’m still not receiving emails. It is so strange!!! 🙂 Glad you enjoy the Cuba posts. Many more to come!
That church is spectacular and so much amazing history in that part of FL. Glad to hear you managed some enjoyable downtime visiting family…. always important. Safe travels and look forward to the next state on your journey 🙂
We have landed in the Peach State. 🙂
The city looked a little different now than when we were there last Thanksgiving. And thanks to your photos, I am able to peek at places we have not checked out.
Glad you had a great time reconnecting with family.
Looking forward to your stay at the Peach State.
Thanks! We were pleasantly surprised with St. Augustine, although one day when we visited downtown, many classes of exuberant kids were doing the same. We thought of you. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn. It is a glorious historical city! Your beautiful photographs do the city justice as does your visual and verbal tour, excellent! I hope your weather continues to be lovely during your travels my friend! Have a great week ahead and … always … take care of you! 🙂 xx
We are now in Brunswick, GA, where the weather has turned. It is cold and windy but I’m not complaining as we have had gorgeous weather the past few weeks.
You were smart to walk around the city. I was there, once, but only drove around, but loved that they have recycled some of their old hotels. Thanks for the history lesson.
We found it to be quite an interesting city.
LuAnn, isn’t it wonderful to spend time with family. I am glad your enjoyed your visit. After my ten days of visiting family, I am catching up on comments and resting! 🙂
It is great but then also nice to have some time to just relax. 🙂
Nothing better than being with those we love, LuAnn; moments to treasure indeed.
Another great meander through geography and history! 😉
Thanks Carolyn! 🙂
What a lovely historical town, LuAnn. It has really beautiful architecture, and I especially love the stained galss window. So great that you had some precious family time in Titusville. I enjoyed your photos. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia. 🙂
I like to figure out my own route when pottering around new places as well…I hate to feel like I am ‘on rails’ as it were.
I had never heard of the city St Augustine, so steeped in history and architectural impressiveness. I’m looking forward to Georgia a state I know almost nothing about…at least nothing that comes to mind…
Well, I will probably have to enlighten you a bit then. 🙂
YAY!!!
Such a charming and interesting city. Thank you so much for the historic information, LuAnn! I like the architecture, great photos 🙂
Thanks Amy! 🙂
Looks beautiful LuAnn. And steeped in history…right up my alley 🙂 Fab photos as always.
Thanks Madhu. It is a beautiful city.