Florida's Historic Coast Travel Planner 2021 | Page 13

Authentic Historical Experiences by the Dozen

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 ’ s Timucua Village
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 reenactors .
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 , is home to the Spanish Military Hospital Museum and the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum
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 .
30 Degrees 8 Minutes Historical Marker
Look for the 15-foot statue of Ponce de Leon at the North Beach Access parking lot at the GTM Research Reserve . The statue commemorates the explorer ’ s landfall in present-day Ponte Vedra Beach more than 500 years ago .
Oldest Wooden School House
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 .
Tiffany Glass windows at Flagler College ’ s Dining Hall
St . Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
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