St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Up in Smoke

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

1. Up in Smoke Marker

Inscription.
At the turn of the century, St. Augustine's cigar industry was flourishing. Balmy nights and a good cigar were a tradition.

Just after World War I, the cigar industry flourished in St. Augustine. It was second only to the Florida East Coast Railway as the largest employer in town. Skilled cigar rollers could produce 100 to 300 cigars a day!

Unfortunately, the art of hand-rolled cigars ended when machines took over production.

Erected by Historic Tours of America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 29° 54.504′ N, 81° 19.168′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker can be reached from San Marco Avenue (Florida Highway A1A) (Business U.S. 1) south of Dufferin Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the "History Walk" at the north end of the St. Augustine History Museum parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 167 San Marco Avenue, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Viva Cuba! (here, next to this marker); Arriving in Style (here, next to this marker); On With The Show (here, next to this marker); Henry Flagler's "Winter Newport"

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(a few steps from this marker); Slaves No More (a few steps from this marker); Jail on Wheels (a few steps from this marker); Chain Gangs (within shouting distance of this marker); Walk to Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Also see . . . Planned cigar factory hotel a reminder of St. Augustine’s past. The St. Augustine Record website entry (Submitted on August 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Marker detail: Garcia, Vega & Carcaba Havana Cigars building, St. Augustine, Florida 1902 image. Click for full size.

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

2. Marker detail: Garcia, Vega & Carcaba Havana Cigars building, St. Augustine, Florida 1902

Marker detail: Florida cigar factory, 1929 image. Click for full size.

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

3. Marker detail: Florida cigar factory, 1929

Note the lector reading from the raised platform at the right. The practice of readers entertaining workers in cigar factories, by reading books or newspapers aloud, originated in Cuba.

Up in Smoke Marker<br>(<i>wide view • parking lot and museum in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

4. Up in Smoke Marker
(wide view • parking lot and museum in background)

Turn of the Century History Walk<br>(<i>access marker along this walkway</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

5. Turn of the Century History Walk
(access marker along this walkway)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 29, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.