St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Minorcan Heritage
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, December 9, 2019
1. The Minorcan Heritage Marker
brought to Florida in 1768 as contract employees to farm a large indigo
plantation at New Smyrna, 70 miles south of St. Augustine. Though most
came from the island of Minorca off the eastern coast of Spain,
their number included others from Greece, Sicily and Italy.
Death and hardship became their lot and after nine years they abandoned
the New Smyrna community. Granted sanctuary by British authorities
in St. Augustine, those able walked the long, weary miles
Northward in the hot summer of 1777.
Here they settled on land south of the Castillo de San Marcos. Some engaged themselves as tradesmen, others took up farming and many fished in the beautiful ocean waters. This area became home to generations of Minoricans [sic] to follow.
When Spain regained Florida in 1784, the Minorcans cast their fortunes with the new regime and stayed in St. Augustine when Florida joined the United States in 1821. Gradually they lost their native languages, but even today the special foods and traditional religious celebrations the Minorcans brought with them remain a colorful part of the city’s heritage.
"They came here, they toiled here, they suffered many pains, they lived here,
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 29° 53.691′ N, 81° 18.813′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is at the intersection of Spanish Street and Hypolita Street, on the left when traveling south on Spanish Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Acosta House (within shouting distance of this marker); Villalonga House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanchez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanchez-Burt House (within shouting distance of this marker); Triay-Hall House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Casa de Nicolas de Ortega (about 300 feet away); A Microcosm of Urban Archaeology in Downtown St. Augustine, Florida (about 300 feet away); DeMesa - Sanchez House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, December 9, 2019
2. The Minorcan Heritage Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
