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

Government House and the Plaza

Casa Gubernamental y la Plaza

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2018

1. Government House and the Plaza Marker

Inscription. Government House & Plaza (English) St. Augustine's Plaza is the city's heart and soul. Dominating the west end of the Plaza since the 16th century, with a view of all activities on the Plaza and in the harbor, the Governor's House was central to the city's social and political growth. Today's Government House and the Plaza are still linked, and are central to the preservation of St. Augustine's heritage.

(background image)
Government House (far left) at west end of St. Angustine's Plaza during the Civil War, with Union troops drawn up.
Marker background is from an etching in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Dec 13, 1862,
courtesy St. Augustine Historical Society

Casa Gubernamental y la Plaza (Spanish) La Plaza de San Agustín es el corazón y alma de la ciudad. La Casa del Gobernador ha dominado el extremo oeste de la Plaza desde el siglo XVI. Con vista a todas las actividades en la Plaza y en la bahía, la Casa del Gobernador jugó un importante papel en el desarrollo social y político de la ciudad. Hoy en día, la Casa Gubernamental y la Plaza siguen conectadas, y son clave para la conservación del acervo

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cultural de San Agustín.

Casa Gubernamental (extremo izquierdo) al oeste de la Plaza de San Agustín durante la Guerra Civil, con las tropas federales reunidas.

Erected by University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Civil.

Location. 29° 53.546′ N, 81° 18.776′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. It is on St. George Street north of King Street (Business U.S. 1), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the grounds of the Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum, in the small courtyard near the southeast corner of the Government House, overlooking the Plaza de la Constitución. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48 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.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

Marker detail: St. Augustine's courthouse, ca. 1837 image. Click for full size.

Anonymous drawing, courtesy of St. Augustine Historical Society

2. Marker detail: St. Augustine's courthouse, ca. 1837

In the center of the city, dominating the west end of the Plaza in 1837, is the courthouse, formerly the colonial Governor's House, today's “Government House.”

En 1837 el tribunal de justicia (antiguamente la Casa del Gobernador colonial y hoy en día la Casa Gubernamental) dominaba el extremo oeste de la Plaza en el centro de la ciudad.

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: Government House: National Significance (a few steps from this marker); Clerk of Court’s Office (a few steps from this marker); Governor’s House (a few steps from this marker); Balcón de los Reyes (a few steps from this marker); Government House: Legacy of Authority (a few steps from this marker); Coquina in These Walls (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Young Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); 8 inch Columbiad (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Regarding Government House and the Plaza. National Register of Historic Places (2013) #13000812

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Government House, St. Augustine, Florida

Also see . . . Government House.

Government House and the Plaza Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2018

3. Government House and the Plaza Marker (tall view)

Government House is adjacent to the Plaza de la Constitución. The building, constructed of coquina, served as the governor's official residence from c. 1710 during the First Spanish Period (1565 -1763), throughout the British Period (1763 - 1784), and until 1812 in the Second Spanish Period (1784 - 1821). Governor Gonzalo Méndez de Canzo was the first governor to build his residence on the present Government House site in 1598. By the time Florida was annexed by the United States in 1821, the building was in ruins with only the walls remaining. In 1833-34 Government House was rebuilt with federal funds. The structure incorporated existing walls and contained 16 rooms, including space for a post office, a courtroom, and other federal functions. During the American Civil War federal troops were headquartered in the building. Today, the ground floor of the building is open to the public as Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum. (Submitted on December 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Government House and Plaza Marker (<i>wide view; marker on right, overlooking St. George Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2018

4. Government House and Plaza Marker (wide view; marker on right, overlooking St. George Street)

Government House Courtyard (<i>wide view from St. George Street; marker top visible near center</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2018

5. Government House Courtyard (wide view from St. George Street; marker top visible near center)

Government House (<i>north side view from Cathedral Place</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 12, 2018

6. Government House (north side view from Cathedral Place)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on December 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.