An in-depth exploration into the past and present of the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in America . . .
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Alligators, Conquistadors, & Pirates ... oh my!It was 1513 when Ponce de Leon set foot on the coastline that would soon be called Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". Having left behind the role of first governor to Puerto Rico, his motive was now to continue his search for The Fountain of Youth. Though he may not have succeeded in his quest for immortality, the civilization that would be founded upon these grounds has lasted over 450 years gaining it the title "America's Ancient City".
Let's Take a Look Around!
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Though it is named after Ponce de Leon's legendary fountain, this interesting attractionactually marks the actual spot where in 1565 Spaniard Pedro Menendez de Aviles would begin to lay this groundwork for a permanent settlement. It was the discovery of this freshwater spring that would provide the life-giving hydration source adequate enough for the development of St. Augustine.
Within you will fnd tributes to the founders as well as the natives who already called this area home. Among these is The Totem from Hontoon Island. This large wooden owl was once an important spiritual symbol to the Mayaca people of Central Florida. Nearby, you can also pay your respects at a site that houses the remains of many Timucuan natives.
As you continue to make your way through these historic pathways, you will be treated to a number of demonstrations such as blacksmithing and medieval weapons technologies. Each station offers a great deal of information about the lifeways of early settlers, while climbing the watchtower will provide you with a view of the area's layout. You can even visit the site of this land's first Catholic mission Nombre de Dios.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Don't forget to have a drink of that vigor-inducing spring water before you leave. I must warn you; it tastes a bit like sulfur, but you just may need it for the adventures that await. You can even purchase a bottle for the road at the giftshop on your way out.
The Fountain of Youth
I find it amusing that in an ironic sort of way, this mythical fountain seems to have succeeded in assuring the longevity of The Land of Flowers.
The late Ponce de Leaon must be proud. Castillo de San Marcos
The original fort that once guarded Matanzas Bay was burned to the ground by a group of English marauders led by Sir Francis Drake. This devisating event reinforced to the desire for a more heavily fortified stronghold. The stone structure you see now was constructed beginning in 1672. This specific fort is the only one of its kind to have never been conquered. The formidable coquina shell walls are actually somewhat soft allowing for the blasts of cannonballs to be absorbed upon impact making it far more durable than basic stone and mortar structures. Another strategic feature was the dry moat that surrounds the exterior walls. This space would act as a buffer zone to potential invaders and also could serve as a pasture for livestock during times of attack.
The fort is situated with sentry towers at each corner, as canons still line the top. Just outside the exterior wall can be found a furnace where cannonballs would be heated to red-hot temperatures that could engulf wooden target in flames. This cunning technique, often referred to as "hot shot", would eventually lead to the development of iron hulls for military ships.
Behind these thick walls, the inner courtyard could offer refuge to the citizens in critical times, while rooms in the interior had multiple uses including barracks, kitchen, and storage. There are even prison cells; one of which was the location where the Native American war chief Osceola was held during The Second Seminole War.
Ownership of this fortress changed hands multiple times throughout the ages. After The Treaty of Paris, the British seized control in 1763 renaming it Fort St. Mark. In 1783 Spain temporarily regained their control of Florida until it would become a part of The United States in 1821. At this time Fort Marion was its designated name. It eventually became a part of The National Parks System in 1933, and in 1942 reclaimed its original name of Castillo de San Marcos.
Fort Matanzas
Historic Fact:
The Matanzas River get its name from the Spaniard's slaughter of the French Huguenots (Protestants) that had settled in nearby territory. The word matanzas literally means massacre. Spanish Military Hospital Museum
This one is an absolute must for anyone that is fascinated in history of medical practice. The Spanish Military Hospital Museum provides an in-depth look into what it would have been like in the earlier days of the St. Augustine healthcare setting.
A costumed guide will walk you through surgical procedures as well as the tools and techniques that may have been used in those days. You will then be treated to a lesson on the herbs that were once used in the anesthesia and recovery process.
Medieval Torture Museum
Now that you have been educate in the tools of surgery, it is time to take a walk up the street to explore The Medieval Torture Collection. This winding labyrinth of horror will keep you disgustingly intrigued as you wander from one horrifying display to another, while the audio app adds a bit of insight into these terrible methods. Enjoy!
Medieval Torture Museum
Pirate & Treasure Museum
Those of you interested in tales of plunder and mayhem won't want to miss out on St. Augustine's Pirate and Treasure Museum. Inside you will see a plethora of artifacts and loot recovered from the days of privateering and piracy, while interactive displays provide details on the history of these maritime exploits.
In this elaborate exhibit you will also be exploring a ship's interior in a search for treasure, while viewing valuable collector's pieces including weapons, tools, and riches. You may also have the opportunity to view the only remaining pirate treasure chest in known existence. It belonged to the English privateer Thomas Tew well over 300 years ago.
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
Constructed sometime in the early 1700s, this is the oldest wooden schoolhouse in The Americas. On the exterior you may notice that the building has been wrapped with a large chain and anchored down. They say this is an effort to protect the historic structure from the threat of hurricanes.
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
Take the tour to catch a glimpse of what education would have been like in those days. On the inside you will also see displays of items such as hand tools that would have been used during that time period as well as an animated exhibit that provides some bonus entertainment.
St. Augustine History Museum
These next three attractions are located near that legendary fountain from which we previously drank. From local native artifacts to the treasures of pirates, The St. Augustine History Museum is a great place to even further enhance your knowledge of the area before venturing into the more modern ages. Here you will even have the chance to lift a brick of silver weighing in at over 60 pounds.
St. Augustine History Museum
The Old General Store
This museum offers a guided tour that showcases what it was like to make a supply run to your local one-stop shopping place back in the old days. Inside you will see everything from an old pharmacy display to the storeroom that houses antique oddities such as a goat powered washing machine and the somewhat unusual looking bicycles that were common in the 1800s.
Old General Store
Old Jail Museum
Don't forget to go to jail while visiting St. Augustine ... the Old Jail Museum that is. This guided tour takes you on a journey of the processes that an inmate would go through during the navigation of Florida's criminal justice system. Let's take a look!
Tour of the Jail
The tour begins outside where criminals would once be placed on public display in the stocks or possibly suspended in an iron cage dangling from a nearby tree. Public hangings were also once common, and it is hard to ignore the enormous gallows located behind the jailhouse. The inmate guide explained that each person on death row would be responsible for the construction of their own. Inside the conditions were horrid, and it seems the food may have been even worse. You can actually see the markings inmates would leave behind on their cell walls before making the walk to their final appearance.
The Sherrif's Office
Once you make your way into the Sherrif's office you will notice a much more pleasant environment. They say that Sherrif Perry was not only of large stature, but a very cruel man as well. He ruled with an iron fist, and it seems that in those days of horse thieves and murders, this type of law enforcement may have been a necessity.
One interesting item I found in Perry's office was the very first fingerprint kit ever used in the state of Florida. Your inmate tour guide will eventually inform you that you have been pardoned. You may now pick up your copy of the signed pardon letter and explore around a bit on your own before exiting. Potter's Wax Museum
Potter's Wax Museum proudly holds the title of oldest wax museum in the United States. It first opened its doors in 1948 and now showcases well over 100 very life-like wax sculptures. Many of those you will encounter range from politicians and scientists to entertainers and legends.
Potter's Wax Museum
Though this attraction is not intended to give you the creeps, there is something un-nerving about these wax figures. As you wander from room to room, many historic people including Seminole Chief Osceola and Juan Ponce de Leon seem to watch you suspiciously.
Villa Zorayda
Strolling along King Street you will surely notice this awe-inspiring replica of a Moorish castle. Villa Zorayda was built in 1883 by Franklin Webster Smith in a style reminiscent of Andalusia's Alhambra Palace. Constructed with a mixture of concrete and coquina shell, it houses an exquisite collection of antiques acquired by Smith throughout his travels abroad.
Villa Zorayda
Many of the rooms are decorated individual cultural themes ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to the colorful flare of The Far East. You can wander about this interesting abode at your own pace, as an audio tour will guide you along this fantastic journey.
St. Augustine Food & Beverage
Adventuring through the historic streets of St. Augustine will definitely cause you to work up an appetite. This area offers a wide assortment of everything from Spanish to Irish inspired along with any type of seafood that one could possibly want. I can honestly recommend the drunken clams at Meehan's Irish Pub, the tequila lime grouper at Casa Reina, and the market fresh pasta at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille.
I would also like to give a shout out to some of my favorite watering holes in St. Augustine - Tradewinds for their excellent rum cocktails, Mill Top Tavern for their lively entertainment, and Ann O'Malley's for the welcoming pub environment.
Haunted St. Augustine
Throughout its history and horrors, it is no wonder that St. Augustine is now a hotspot for paranormal activity. A great way to experience this darker side of Florida history is to book a spot in one of the local tours that specializes in the macabre.
The first haunted adventure in which I participated was the Telling Elegies Ghost Tour. Our guide walked us through these historic streets highlighting the historic structures and cemeteries throughout. The photographing of unexplained orbs seems to be very common around these gravesites. The tour concluded at the old town gates with a history on how yellow fever had once devastated the population leading to mass graves and a multitude of souls still roaming about.
The second night out I wanted to get a more inside look into a few of the local establishments and their ghastly histories. This time I joined up with The Haunted Pub Crawl. In this excursion we would be drinking our way through a few of the local bars while hearing about the events that once took place within.
Scarlett O'Hara's is without a doubt one of the most haunted pubs in St. Augustine. Once a residence to a prominent businessman, the unfortunate George Cooley was found mysteriously drowned in his bathtub. The upstairs area of the bar still has this very tub on display, and many visitors have managed to capture ghostly images in their photos.
Another bar that you may visit along this tour is the nearby Stogies Jazz Club. During a time when gambling and drinking were strictly outlawed, the original building burned to the ground with a group of men never getting up from their card game. They can still be heard laughing on occasion.
Important Tip:
The best way to save money while visiting St. Augustine is by having the City Pass app downloaded to your phone. This can allow you to visit many of these historic attractions over the course of multiple days and reserve your spot on a wide selection of other exciting tours. https://tourpass.com/st-augustine
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Author :Chris J. Baxter "Siege" is an experienced world traveler with a B.A. in Anthropology, a background in healthcare, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. 
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