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

Villa Zorayda

Built 1883

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 31, 2017

1. Villa Zorayda Marker

Inscription.
Bostonian Franklin W. Smith designed and built the Villa as his winter residence. It is important for its distinct architectural design and construction method in addition to its role in the early tourism industry in St. Augustine. The novel design represents the Moorish Revival style and takes direct inspiration from the Alhambra Palace in Spain. The building is recognized as the earliest Moorish Revival designed residence in Florida. Also, the building represents the first example of the transition from local coquina stone to another indigenous material, coquina shell reinforced concrete which was Smith's innovation. This use of coquina stone, shell, and concrete continues to be used in St. Augustine for stucco finishes, paved sidewalks, and parking areas.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Erected by City of St. Augustine.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 29° 53.509′ N, 81° 18.912′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is on

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King Street (Business U.S. 1) just east of Sevilla Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the short wall that surrounds the property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 83 King Street, 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

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: A different marker also named Villa Zorayda (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Villa Zorayda (a few steps from this marker); Xavier Lopez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponce de Leon Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry M. Flagler

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020

2. Villa Zorayda Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Don Pedro Menendez De Aviles (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alcazar Hotel / City Hall (about 300 feet away); Henry Flagler (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Villa Zorayda Today (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020

3. Villa Zorayda Marker

Villa Zorayda image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 31, 2017

4. Villa Zorayda

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on September 19, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4. submitted on January 11, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.