Florida's Historic Coast Travel Planner 2020 | Page 13

Authentic Historical Experiences by the Dozen Fountain of Youth’s Timucua Village Castillo de San Marcos Completed by the Spanish in 1695 to protect their treasure fleets from the British and pirates, this national monument is the oldest masonry fort in the U.S. Castillo de San Marcos Fountain of Youth More than a youthful legend, this is the location of the Timucua village of Seloy and the first settlement of St. Augustine. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum At the oldest maritime port, the lighthouse stands watch over the oldest city with stunning views at the top of its 219 steps. The Colonial Quarter Two acres inside the historic district immerse you in three centuries of Spanish colonial life, plus the city’s brief 21- year interlude of British occupation, with interactive exhibits and history re-enactors. Mission Nombre de Dios The first Holy Mass was led by Father Francisco Lopez here in 1565. The mission was also home to the first Catholic mission in what would become the United States. Flagler College Once the Hotel Ponce de León, built by railroad and Standard Oil magnate Henry Flagler in 1888, it was one of America’s most impressive resorts. The success of the hotel marked the beginning of the thriving tourism industry in Florida. Lightner Museum The former Alcazar Hotel, built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, once housed the largest indoor swimming pool in America. The Lightner Museum is home to an extensive collection of Gilded Age artifacts, including fine and decorative art, Tiffany glass, musical instruments and rare oddities such as a mummy and human hair art. Avilés Street The oldest public street in the country, dating back to 1570, was originally called Hospital Street because of the Spanish Military Hospital located there. Plaza de la Constitución Established in 1573, the beautiful town square is named for its monument to the Spanish constitution of 1812, which is believed to be the only remaining such monument of its kind in the world. Cathedral Basilica The Spanish Colonial Renaissance cathedral was built in 1797 and reconstructed in the late 1880s. It symbolizes the nation’s oldest diocese. Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse A historic museum that recreates school life from the 1800s with original antique furnishings and rare artifacts. Fort Mose A state park today, Fort Mose was established in 1738 as the first free African settlement in the U.S. Slaves that fled the British colonies to the north were granted freedom in Spanish Florida. Inside Flagler College St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum