On October 2, 1672, Governor Manuel de Cendoya broke ground on a masonry fort for St. Augustine. Today, we know this fortification as the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Yet, what do we know about the historical leader behind the monument? Spain's Queen Regent Mariana appointed Cendoya to the governorship of Florida on October …
Continue reading Don Manuel de Cendoya: The Governor Behind The Castillo De San Marcos
Today, Avenida Menendez runs parallel to St. Augustine's seawall and the Matanzas River - from the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument to St. Francis Street. But did you know that Avenida Mendendez was once known as Bay Street? And before it became Bay Street, it was a coastal marsh? European settlement in this area …
Continue reading Walls and Roads: From Bayfront to Avenida Menendez
The Ramones once sang, "Well, I don't care about history..." Lucky for you all, we do! While the Ramones head to rock-n-roll high school, let us crack open our history books to learn about St. Augustine High and Grade School at 40 Orange Street - also known as Orange Street School. St. Augustine High and …
Continue reading Orange Street School: From A Moat Comes A Century Of Education
Since 1598, Governor's House has served the city of St. Augustine in many different ways, including as a governor's residence and office, barracks, a courthouse, a post office, a museum, and a library. However, did you know it also housed a school? Let us head back in time together to learn more about this short …
James Grant (1720-1806) only served as Governor of British East Florida for seven years, but his impact continues to reverberate through our state's history. For Grant laid the foundations of Florida's borders, commercial agriculture economy, and plantation era during his tenure. Today, we will be taking a look into Grant's governorship. Military Background Born the …
Continue reading Governor James Grant: “Commissioner Of The Mildew”
We all know about Nights of Lights here in St. Augustine, but what about Night Watch? Let's learn a little more about this military exercise turned festive. In the colonial period of St. Augustine, the town was mostly occupied by soldiers at the Castillo or their family members. The town revolved around the fort and …
On January 22, 1764, Juan Josef Elixio de la Puente completed Plano de la RL. Fuerza Baluartes y Linea de la Plaza de SN. Agustin de Florida . . . or Puente map for short. As one of the earliest detailed plans of St. Augustine, we mention this map a lot for its historical value. …
Continue reading Juan Josef Elixio de la Puente: The Man Behind The Map
Did you know that the first free Black town within the present boundaries of the Unites States was founded in Florida? Located two miles north of St. Augustine, Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose stood for a time as the northernmost outpost of the Spanish empire. Today, you might know the community of freedom …
Have you ever lost something big? How about an entire wall? Or a fort? Well, St. Augustine has. Over a century ago, much of our city's walls and defenses disappeared to history. But with the help of archaeologists, we now know where the former fortifications stood - under our streets. Today, we will drive over …
Today, we are traveling back to the 1700s. A time when fortifications enclosed the small community of St. Augustine. Spain saught to protect their presidio - fortified base - in Florida. Already protected by Castillo de San Marcos, the military town needed to strengthen their defenses against land invasions. (Especially after the destructive attack by …
Governor's House Library 