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

The Fountain

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 30, 2026

1. The Fountain Marker

Inscription. Designed by Thomas Hastings and John Carrere, our fountain was inspired by a 12th-century example near Palermo, Sicily.

The bulb at top features lion heads recurring theme throughout the design of the Hotel Ponce de Leon-while the zigzag pattern down the sides evokes the bark of nearby palm trees. The surrounding frogs may represent 12 months of the year or 12 hours of the day, with the turtles standing in for the four seasons.

Some say the fountain also resembles the hilt of a sword plunged into the earth-perhaps symbolizing Ponce de Leon's original claim on Florida in 1513.
(caption)
Fountain in Monreale Cathedral Cloister and Gardens, Palermo, Sicily. Giuliano Benzin / Getty Images

Erected by Flagler College.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1513.

Location. 29° 53.544′ N, 81° 18.885′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in Lincolnville. It is at the intersection of King Street and Grenada Street on King Street. The marker is located within the main entrance to the College.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 74 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: Henry Flagler (a few steps from this marker); Ponce de Leon Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Henry M. Flagler (a few steps from this marker); Alcazar Hotel / City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosario Redoubt (within shouting distance of this marker); Villa Zorayda (within shouting distance of this marker); Tolomato Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Don Pedro Menendez De Aviles (about 300 feet away, measured

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 30, 2026

2. The Fountain Marker

in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Also see . . .
1. The fountain at Flagler College. (Submitted on September 9, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
2. Flagler College/Nationally Ranked College. (Submitted on September 9, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
3. Our History. (Submitted on September 9, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)

The Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 30, 2026

3. The Fountain

Ponce-de-Leon Hotel Courtyard image. Click for full size.

George Barker (courtesy New York Public Library), circa 1891

4. Ponce-de-Leon Hotel Courtyard

Left half of a stereoscopic view of the courtyard with fountain

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 14, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.