St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The O’Reilly House
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 1, 2025
1. The O’Reilly House Marker
The O'Reilly House, one of St. Augustine's oldest structures, features coquina and tabby walls that date back to the early Spanish period (1565-1763). However, its exact construction date remains uncertain due to missing historical records from the First Spanish Period. Even so, archaeological findings suggest that the surrounding property has been inhabited since the 1600s.
The house was last sold in 1785 to Father Miguel O'Reilly, an Irish priest serving the Spanish crown. He transformed the house into a center for Catholic spirituality and education.
In his will, Father O'Reilly ensured the house would continue to serve as a school. In 1812, he left the house and surrounding property to an unspecified religious order that shared his passion for education. The Sisters of Saint Joseph finally occupied the house in 1866, honoring Father O'Reilly's wishes.
Si Estes Pardedes de Coquina Pudieran hablar
La Casa O'Reilly, una de las estructuras mas antiguas de San Augustín, se caracteriza por sus murallas de coquina y tabby que datan de la época temprana Española (1565-1763). No obstante, la fecha exacta de su construcción permanece incierta dado a los archivos históricos que faltan del Primer Periodo Español. Sin embargo, los descubrimientos arqueológicos sugieren que la propiedad vecina ha sido habitada desde los años 1600.
La última venta de la casa fue en el 1785 al Padre Miguel O Reilly, un sacerdote Irlandés sirviendo la corona Española. Él transformó la casa en un centro para la espiritualidad y educación católica.
En su testamento, el Padre O'Reilly aseguró que la casa continuaría a servir como escuela. En el 1812, le dejó la casa y propiedad contigua a una orden religiosa no especificada que compartiría su pasión para la educación. Por fin, las Hermanas de San José ocuparon la casa en el 1866, honrando los deseos del Padre O'Reilly.
(captions/pie de ilustración)
Scapular Medal found on SSJ Property, circa late 1800's early 1900s
Medalla escapulario descubierta en la propiedad SSJ, circa fin de los 1800 o temprano en los 1900.
Coquina (left) and tabby (right) walls, O'Reilly House
Murallas de coquina (izq.) y tabby (dcha.), Casa O'Reilly
Excavation behind the O'Reilly House, 1981
Excavacion detrás de la Casa O'Reilly, 1981
Father O'Reilly's Signature on an enslaved infant's baptismal record, La Florida Project
Firma del Padre O'Reilly en el acta bautismal de un esclavo infante. La Florida Project
De la Puente Map. First to show a structure on this property, 1764
Mapa De la Puente, el primero en mostrar una estructura en esta propiedad, 1764
Topics.
this page online
Location. 29° 53.425′ N, 81° 18.675′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is at the intersection of Aviles Street and Bravo Lane, on the left when traveling east on Aviles Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32 Aviles 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, 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: Father Miguel O'Reilly House (here, next to this marker);
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 1, 2025
2. The O’Reilly House Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cofradia Site Coquina Well (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum | St.Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FL. (Submitted on September 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum. (Submitted on September 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
