Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Robert L. Ripley
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 30, 2014
1. Robert L. Ripley Marker
Mr. Ripley visited over 200 countries, and during his travels amassed an eclectic collection of artifacts, curiosities and oddities that have continued to amaze the world for over 50 years after his death.
Mr. Ripley was a frequent visitor to St. Augustine and often mentioned Castle Warden as the ideal venue to display his collection to the world.
On December 9, 1950, a year and a half after his passing, his dream was fulfilled and the original Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum opened at this location.
Erected 2000 by Florida Department of State, Florida League of Cities.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 9, 1950.
Location. 29° 53.969′ N, 81° 18.823′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. It can be reached from the intersection of San Marco Avenue (Business U.S. 1) and West Castillo Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map
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 walking distance of this marker: Magnificence in Marble: David c.1963 (within shouting distance of this marker); Warden Winter Home (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Augustine Civic Center (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Spanish Trail Zero Milestone (about 400 feet away); Public Burying Ground (about 400 feet away); Manuel Crespo (about 400 feet away); Invincible? / ΏInvencible? (about 400 feet away); Fuente de los Caρos de San Francisco (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Also see . . . Ripley's Believe It or Not. (Submitted on March 21, 2016.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 30, 2014
2. Robert L. Ripley Marker on front of Ripley's.
Marker can be seen on the right side of the front door.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 610 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
