St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Augustine Civic Center
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 21, 2017
1. St. Augustine Civic Center Marker
It was the Junior Chamber of Commerce that first proposed the idea of a Civic Center that would serve "as an incentive not only to attract but hold the influx of tourists to this city on their annual trek from lands of snow to the sunshine state."
That dream was realized on February 14, 1935 when more than 1,000 people gathered at the new facility for the start of a three-day festival celebrating its opening.
Constructed with native coquina stone in just eleven months under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration at a cost of nearly $100,000, the Civic Center featured a main hall with a seating capacity of 500, a 36' stage with green velvet curtains and lounge rooms furnished with bridge tables and leather padded chairs. Outside there were shuffle board, tennis and croquet courts, and areas for baseball and football provided for the entertainment of the city's visitors.
The Civic Center's designer was Frederick A. Henderich, who arrived in St. Augustine at the beginning of the 20th century as an architect for the Florida East Coast Railway. After entering private practice, he designed many St. Augustine structures
this page online
The facility underwent extensive renovations in the fall of 2012 and now in addition to welcoming visitors to St. Augustine also host a variety of historic and cultural exhibits.
Erected by City of St. Augustine.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is February 14, 1935.
Location. 29° 53.916′ N, 81° 18.897′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It can be reached from South Castillo Drive (Business U.S. 1) south of West Castillo Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located behind the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 S Castillo Dr, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast and in Greater Jacksonville. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Huguenot Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Fuente de los Caρos de San Francisco (within shouting distance of this marker); On September 11, 1821 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named St. Augustine Civic Center (within shouting distance of this marker); George W. Mitchell (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cubo Line
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 21, 2017
2. St. Augustine Civic Center and Marker
Also see . . . St. Augustine Civic Center. (Submitted on January 11, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
