Page 7 - OCL October 2017 Old City Life Magazine

HISTORIC First Coast
SAT. AUGUSTINE-THE NATION’S OLDEST CITY
s the saying goes “24 miles of beaches and the rest is history”
St. Augustine exudes a playful charm created by
a contradiction of Old and New World Influences. Mixed together they create a refreshing mixture of antiquated romance, youthful vibrance, and Southern sweetness. Evidence of the magic and mystery of
St. Augustine is revealed in more than 60 historic sites and attractions. Many of these points of interest are tucked along canopied roads of moss-draped oaks. Streets are lined by signature coquina cottages topped with red clay roofs. Two National Monuments reflect the prevalent Spanish
and Minorcan heritage: The impenetrable Castillo de San Marcos (1695), the nation’s oldest masonry fortress, and Fort Matanzas (1742) which can be reached only by boat.
Three of the Historic Coast’s natural attractions are its state parks. Favor-Dykes State Park, on the southern tip of
St. Augustine is a 752-acre forest that serves as a refuge for endangered bald eagles and wood storks. Trails and camping areas are found along meandering marshes.
Anastasia State Park is a 1,600 acre State Park located on Anstasia Island, just over the Bridge of Lions from Downtown. The park has a variety of wildlife, birds and plants in
a setting of beaches, tidal salt marsh, and marine and upland hammock. Located in the heart of St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park offers camping, fishing, sun bathing, running, surfing, sail boarding, swimming, kayaking, hiking, and picnicking.
Florida State Park, administered through the Anastasia State Recreation Area. Fort Mose is the “premier site on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. For reservations, and more information on these and other Florida State Parks, go to
www. floridastateparks.org.
EVERY DAY IS EVENTFUL IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
There are 45 spirited year-round celebrations of heritage and heroism. Reenactments range from the 18th century royal transfer of office to Drake’s Raid
in 1586. Another popular event is the reenactment of the 1740’s torchlit Spanish Night Watch.
Since 1903, visitors have discovered
St. Augustine’s past at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Thought to be Ponce de Leon’s eternal spring, it is Florida’s oldest attraction.
The Mission of Nombre de Dios (1565)
is the location that began Christianity in
the United States. Visitors can also see the remains of the 1808 City Gate, that are now a grand archway leading into the oldest city.
Fort Mose State Park, is also a National Historic Landmark. It is located two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida, on the edge of a salt marsh on the western side of the Intracoastal Waterway which separates the mainland from the coastal barrier islands. The original site of a 18th-century fort was uncovered in a 1986 archeological dig. The 24-acre (9.7 ha) site has since protected as a
than 230 local artists in galleries and shops around the city. The antiques scene is no less sparkling. St. Augustine alone has more than 50 antiques dealers displaying their one-of-a- kind treasures.
In 1513, when Ponce de Leon first saw Florida, near the mouth of the St. Johns River, tthe flowers were in full Easter bloom so he called it La Florida (the flowering). Although de Leon did not stay long, the name
450 YEARS OLD & COUNTING!
St. Augustine and the surrounding area have an amazingly varied and rich fine arts environment.
Working in every medium imaginable, art lovers can check out the work of more
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