Author Archives: Dablad1
City Gates
For a long time, the City Gates were the only entrance to St Augustine. Erected in 1808 the pillars and walls are made of coquina–sea shells and mortar. It is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in North America. St Augustine will celebrate its 450th birthday in 2015 and is seen here in an 1865 photo.
City Gates 2
Florida tourism goes back a long ways. Here is the Governor in 1901 doing his part for St Augustine.
St. George St.
St. George St. has been St. Augustine’s main thoroughfare for over 300 years. It runs south from the City Gates and takes you to the heart of the historical district. The photo dates from 1910.
Central Plaza
The Central Plaza was laid out in 1598. To the left in the vintage photo below is the Monument of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 erected in 1814. To the right is St Augustine Cathedral-Basilica built in 1793-1797. Note the ladies viewing alligators on display in the pool. Central Plaza is the oldest public park … Continue reading
Oldest House
It figures that the country’s oldest city would have the oldest house. It was constructed of coquina in the early 1700s and is seen here in a 1904 photo.
Mon Bijou
Just as Lake Geneva Wisconsin is a smaller version of Newport RI, Oconomowoc WI is a smaller version of Lake Geneva. From the 1870s to the 1930s it drew the wealthy from Milwaukee, Chicago, and St Louis, who built palacial estates, many of which are still standing. The most prominant is Mon Bijou (My Jewel) … Continue reading
Main Street
The heart of downtown is shown in this photo from 1918. Note City Hall in the distance.
City Hall
Here is City Hall as it looked in 1908. It was restored in 1983 at a cost 0f $1.9 million.
Zion Episcopal Church
Zion Episcopal Church was built in 1889 and is situated on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Fowler. The postcard is from 1895.
Peck House
The Peck House was built as one building in 1846 with subsequent additions made thereafter. The most interesting of those are the 10 Ionic columns taken from the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It was separated into two dwellings in 1923.