Oldest Town in America

On Monday, my mom, grandma and I went to the oldest and one of the most historic towns in America: St. Augustine. I discovered my love of history a few months ago, and this has just helped it grow! It was beautiful, though hot. But it was so much fun!

Years ago, at night, they would close the city gates and if you were outside of them, you were not allowed back in until the next morning!

This top is made out of pure terracotta!

The Old Senator: This magnificent Live Oak is one of the most remarkable trees in North America, reputed to be well over 600 years old, and thus surviving as though silent witness to that dramatic moment in 1513 when Juan Ponce de Leon finally discovered St. Augustine's famed Fountain of Youth, a mere 600 feet from this spot.

This canoe is 1000 years old!

Colonial coins, silver and copper, Spanish 1650 - 1821.

Treasure disc from the Atocha

Lost - 1622, Found by Mel Fisher in 1985

How could they wear those???

The oldest wooden school house in America

My favorite part:

Castillo de San Marcos

This is one of my favorite pictures

Historians have puzzled over the fragments of words in this graffiti for decades. The shaping of the letters tells us it is 18th century Spanish, but the pieces of of words still make no since.

This cannon exploded November 10, 1702, as it was fired against English entering the town. Wouldn't want to be anywhere near that!

After 1740, this well was the only source of water inside the fort.

Sea routs of Spain

Replica swards and musket used by Don Manuel de Cendoya.

Although Castillo's high walls and moat were a substantial obstacle to anyone trying to capture the fort, the cannons on the gundeck (or terreplein) were the real strength of the fort. With a range of over a mile, the cannon could strike at ships in the harbor, as well as troops on land. The Spanish kept the land cleared of trees for 250 yards beyond the fort so that approaching troops had no natural cover or protection. In 1763, the fort had 77 guns.

The pirate ship, the Black Raven

Watch your step!!!

I took a picture of Mom taking a picture

Signails were exchanged between this tower and the similar one across the Matanzas Bay, on the ocean shore near the present lighthouse.

Look! A Saint Augustine bird!

My kinda town!!

The Oldest House

When Spanish people lived here, they came in through the back door. There was no front door.

When the English came in, they addeded the front door, glass over the windows, and the second floor.

This china was owned by the family that lived here

Mission of Nombre de Dios

This cross is made out or pure stainless steel

Talk about a strutting peacock

Anastaisa Island Lighthouse

Mom and Grandma on Anastasia Island beach

We went into an old drug store, probably from the 1600 or 1800's. Something I learned after we left was that it was built on an old Indian burial ground. That's kinda creepy!

In 1740, General James Oglethorp of Georga, vowed to "take St. Augustine or leave my bones before its walls." The Spanish Governor Manuel de Montiano vowed to "shed his last drop of blood" in defence of the town. Neither had to keep their vow. Oglethorp's artillery bombarded the fort for 27 days, but could do little damage. Unable the capture the fort by force, the English withdrew.

As you can tell, it was SO much fun! This place is so full of history, some still waiting to be decovered.