St. Augustine Beach in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 1, 2025
1. St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail Marker
St. Johns County boasts a rich African heritage and historic milestones, including the nation's first legally recognized free Black community, early post-slavery settlements, and a historically Black college where Zora Neale Hurston taught.
This location, including the two-story St. Augustine Beach Hotel south of the pier, played a critical role in the Civil Rights movement as a staging ground for wade-ins to desegregate Florida's beaches.
Stroll through history as you walk to the beach. The story panels along the columns of the historic St. Augustine Beach Hotel bring St. Johns County's Black heritage and the Civil Rights Movement to life, connecting the past with the present.
(caption) Image: Wade-ins, June 25, 1964, State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
What is the Black Heritage Trail?
Scan the QR codes discover more Black history sites or visit the St. Augustine Beach Visitor Center in the pier gift shop for a free St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail guide.
Scan this QR code to explore more St. Johns County Parks on the ParksApp.
Erected by St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is June 25, 1964.
Location. 29° 51.397′ N, 81° 15.954′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine Beach, Florida, in St. Johns County. It can be reached from A1A Beach Boulevard 0.1 miles north of 16 Street, on the right when traveling north. Located next to the St. Augustine Beach Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 370A A1A
this page online
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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Augustine Beach Wade-Ins (here, next to this marker); Waves of Change (a few steps from this marker); Recreation and Fun (a few steps from this marker); Civil Rights (a few steps from this marker); Time of Transition (within shouting distance of this marker); 21st Century (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Spanish Chimney and Well (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine Beach.
Also see . . .
1. St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail.
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 1, 2025
2. St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail Marker
2. St. Johns County launches Black Heritage Trail honoring local history. First Coast News website entry (Submitted on September 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
