History of St Augustine, Florida, USA

1565 - September 8 - Oldest city in the US, St Augustine Fla, established by Spanish Expedition
On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed on the shore of what is now called Matanzas Bay and began the founding of the Presidio of San Agustin. Later the settlement would be called St. Augustine, Florida. Built on the site of an ancient Native American village, and near the place where Ponce de Leon, the European discoverer of Florida, landed in 1513 in search of the legendary Fountain of Youth, it has been continually inhabited since its founding.
www.americaslibrary.gov
September 8, 1565

1586 - Sir Francis Drake plunders Saint Augustine

The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

1702 - October 27 - British troops plunder St Augustine Florida

historyorb.com

1854 - St Augustine
St. Augustine, a city, port of entry, and capital of St. John's co., Florida, 200 miles E. by S. from Tallahassee, and 160 miles S. from Savannah. It is one of the largest places in the state, and has the distinction of being the oldest town in the United States. It is situated on the northern shore of Matanzas sound, 2 miles from the sea, from which it is separated by the island of Anastasia. The site is a plain only a few feet higher than the level of the ocean. The streets vary from 10 to 18 feet in width; the houses have mostly two stories, the upper projecting over the street. It contains, besides the county buildings, 1 Roman Catholic and 3 Protestant churches, 1 newspaper office, 1 United States land-office, and about 500 dwellings, some of which are in a dilapidated state. The harbor is safe and commodious, but the bar at the entrance prevents the approach of large ships, having only 9 or 10 feet of water at low tide. The mildness of the climate, and the refreshing breezes... Read MORE...

1861 - January 7 - Florida troops takeover Fort Marion at St Augustine

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1861 - March 8 - St Augustine Florida surrenders to Union armies

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1895 - Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine, a city, port of entry, and capital of St. John's co., Fla; on Matanzas Sound, 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and about 36 miles in a direct line S.S.E. of Jacksonville. The site is a plain only a few feet higher than the level of the sea. It contains a court-house, a Catholic cathedral, 5 churches, a convent, 2 newspaper offices, the Peabody Institute, and several of the finest hotels in the world. The famous Ponce de Leon hotel is a Moorish Palace costing nearly a mil lion dollars. St. Augustine has a commodious, but shallow, harbor, defended by Fort Marion, which was built by the Spaniards more than 100 years ago. The mildness of the climate renders it an attractive place of winter residence for invalids, and it is now pre-eminently the most fashionable winter resort in America. The city was settled by the Spaniards about 1565, and is the oldest town in the United States. It is a Catholic bishop's see, and is situated on the line of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine ... Read MORE...

1895 - Fire
Seven blocks thickly covered with residences and business houses in St. Augustine, Florida, have been destroyed by fire St. Augustine claims to be the oldest city in the United States, a fort having been built there by the Spaniards in 1563 - long before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
Daily Nevada State Journal
Reno, Nevada
March 30, 1895

1896 - November 30 - 'St. Augustine Monster': A large carcass, later postulated to be the remains of a gigantic octopus, is found washed ashore near St. Augustine, Florida.

wikipedia.org
November 30, 1896

1897 - BIG HOTEL BURNED. INCENDIARIES CAUSE A FIRE AT ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA.
St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 7. - The Hotel San Marco one of the finest and most commodious hotel properties in this city, was burned to the ground this morning, entailing a loss of about $250,000, with less than $20,000 insurance.

The owner of the San Marco was William Boale (or Beale) of Boston, and it was leased to McDowell & Palmer, and would have been opened next month.

Incendiaries caused the fire. They had cut the rope of the fire bell, causing delay in sounding the alarm, and they also cut the suction pipes of the fire engine, which hampered the firemen in fighting the flames.

Fearing further incendiarism those in charge of the Hotel Ponce de Leon have ordered steam up constantly in order to furnish water pressure at a moment's notice. The citizens of the city have offered $500 reward for the capture of the incendiaries.
Nebraska State Journal
Lincoln, Nebraska
November 8, 1897

1900 - St. Augustine - The Oldest Town in the United States by George R. Fairbanks
Far down on the Atlantic coast lies the old city of St. Augustine. Unlike most of our early towns, which have either been abandoned, like Jamestown, or rebuilt and modernized until their ancient form and fashion are no longer recognizable, St. Augustine has preserved its antiquity. Its newness is placed alongside, but does not overlie and hide, its ancient character. Its old self is still there, always to be felt and seen, and ever about the old city there cling historic associations which throw around it a charm that few can fail to feel.

The aroma of its life is in its past: and when we recall the fact that it is more than forty years older than Jamestown; that it was a comparatively old town when the Puritans landed at Plymouth; that here, for the first time, isolated within the shadows of the primeval forest, the civilization of the old world made its abiding place, where all was new and wild and strange; that this now so insignificant place was the key to a possible empire;... Read MORE...

1906
Saint Augustine, a city, port of entry, and capital of St. John co., Fla., on Matanzas Sound, 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and 36 miles (direct) SE. of Jacksonville, on the Florida East Coast and the St. Augustine and South Beach Rs. The site is a plain only a few feet higher than the level of the sea and directly opposite Anastasia Island. The city, although one of the most fashionable winter-resorts, of the United States and containing palatial hotels, retains many of its old features of narrow streets, shell (coquina) buildings, and overhanging balconies. The gardens are largely grown with subtropical plants - the palmetto, Spanish bayonet, orange, citron, and date - and give to the city a most pleasing appearance. Among the ancient remains are the city gate, Fort of San Marco (now Fort Marion), and what is said to be the oldest house in the United States (built by the Huguenots in 1564). In the centre of the city is the Plaza de la Constitucion, which extends to the sea-wall,... Read MORE...

St. Augustine has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in St. Augustine:
St. Augustine Historic District: Start your visit by exploring the heart of the city, the historic district. You'll find cobblestone streets, charming architecture, and numerous shops and restaurants. Don't miss St. George Street, a pedestrian-only thoroughfare lined with shops and eateries.

Castillo de San Marcos: This historic fort, built in the 17th century, is one of St. Augustine's most iconic landmarks. You can tour the fort, walk along the ramparts, and learn about its fascinating history.

Lightner Museum: Housed in a former hotel, this museum features a vast collection of Gilded Age art, antiques, and artifacts. The building itself is a work of art, and you can explore everything from stained glass to vintage costumes.

Flagler College: Take a guided tour of this stunning historic campus, originally a luxury hotel built by Henry Flagler. The architecture and interior spaces are truly remarkable.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum: Climb the 219 steps to the... Read MORE...