St. Johns County
On July 21, 1821 Major General Andrew Jackson, Florida's first Territorial Governor, established St. Johns County, with St. Augustine as the county seat. It contained all Florida east of the Suwanee River, approximately . . . — — Map (db m62164) HM
The Powder House Lot
In 1797–1800, the Spanish built on this site a coquina structure with tile roof and masonry fence, to store 100,000 pounds of gunpowder. A smaller structure was also built to serve as guard post. Each redoubt in . . . — — Map (db m100593) HM
Formerly at this site stood the Vilano Beach Casino, constructed in 1926-27. Casinos of the early 1900s were a source of social entertainment. Gambling was not provided. Big name bands from New York, vaudeville acts, theme parties and dances were . . . — — Map (db m125688) HM
Noted author Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) rented a room in this house in 1942. One of the few surviving buildings closely linked with Hurston’s life, it is an example of frame Vernacular construction, with cool, north-facing porches on both . . . — — Map (db m77257) HM
In 1768, James Grant (1720-1806), Governor of British East Florida from 1763 to 1773, established Grant's Villa Plantation at the juncture of the Guana and North Rivers. Enslaved Africans cleared the 1,450-acre tract of land, planted indigo seeds, . . . — — Map (db m80967) HM
As part of the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1818, Spain ceded both East and West Florida to the United States. On July 10, 1821, the 23-star flag of the United States replaced the Spanish flag above the Castillo de San Marcos and, during the Territorial . . . — — Map (db m229723) HM
St. Augustine High and Grade School opened in October 1910, with an enrollment of more than 400 students in grades 1-12. The new public school, billed locally as "the finest in Florida," was the inspiration of W.S.M. Pinkham, Mayor of St. Augustine . . . — — Map (db m93383) HM
This cemetery was most likely established after the Civil War to serve the settlement of Bakersville. The cemetery was used by both black and white members of the community, with black families buried in the eastern half of the property. The . . . — — Map (db m155056) HM
Allen D. Nease (1914-1984) served as the State's first county forester and was a pioneer in Florida's reforestation and conservation efforts in the mid-20th Century. As a forester, he planted over 55 million pine trees throughout north Florida, . . . — — Map (db m220679) HM
Butler was heavily involved in local politics to ensure that African-American citizens in St. Johns County had a voice in elections. In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his associates Andrew Young, Ralph Abernathy and C.T. Vivian, stayed at . . . — — Map (db m230269) HM
The intact buildings and grounds of St. Ambrose Parish reflect the commitment of the Roman Catholic Church to reach small rural communities in Florida. Catholic Mass was first celebrated with settlers in a barn here at Moccasin Branch in the early . . . — — Map (db m101631) HM
"Beluthahatchee" as defined by noted author Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is a mythical "Florida Shangri-la, where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten." When Florida author/activist Stetson Kennedy (b. 1916) moved here, the site was named . . . — — Map (db m61584) HM
Here where the St. Johns River narrows, was a natural crossing used by Indians, and later by the Spaniards, in pushing west. A Spanish fort, built in 1700, protected the crossing and trail that led to Apalache, near Tallahassee. From 1836 to 1870, . . . — — Map (db m64001) HM
This rich hammock once covered with oaks, magnolias and especially palms was originally known as the Plains of Diego, after Don Diego de Espinosa, who built a small fort nearby in the 1730's. Around 1900, the community of Diego was renamed Palm . . . — — Map (db m157509) HM
Established in 1884 outside the city limits when St. Augustine closed its small urban graveyards due to overcrowding. Evergreen became the region's largest Protestant cemetery of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The design was strongly influenced by . . . — — Map (db m73842) HM
Since early times, coastal towers were important in the defense of St. Augustine. From the wooden lookout here in 1586, Spanish sentries warned of approaching English raiders under Sir Francis Drake. Later the tower was built of stone. It served . . . — — Map (db m47391) HM
The Segui-Kirby Smith House is one of only 36 Spanish Colonial houses remaining in St. Augustine. The house dates from the late 1700s. The site on which it is situated has been continuously occupied since the late 1500s.
In 1786 it became . . . — — Map (db m107411) HM
In 1823, two years after Florida was acquired by the United States, leaders of the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes met with government officials on the banks of the creek near this site to settle conflicting claims to Florida lands. After twelve . . . — — Map (db m155049) HM
On this site, September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed with a band of settlers to found St. Augustine, first permanent Christian settlement in the United States. Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales, Spanish diocesan Priest, offered . . . — — Map (db m47569) HM
In 1565 some 300 French castaways, under Jean Ribault, were massacred here by Spaniards, crushing their attempt to occupy Florida. The French ships, sailing from Fort Caroline to attack St. Augustine, were driven ashore by a storm. At this inlet . . . — — Map (db m46145) HM
Here from the early 1900s stood Surfside "Casino." Casinos did not offer gambling - they were entertainment centers. Surfside was built as part of the Capo family resort destination of 165 acres. The yacht Pauline II ferried visitors from St. . . . — — Map (db m47566) HM
In 1766 on the banks of the St. Johns River at Little Florence Cove, William Bartram attempted to farm a 500-acre land grant. Bartram had spent much of the previous year exploring the new British Colony of East Florida with his father, John Bartram, . . . — — Map (db m48683) HM
Soon after East Florida was transferred from Spain to the United States, the St. Johns County Clerk of Court was established here at the Governor's House.
The Clerk's responsibilities included recording court activities, property deeds and . . . — — Map (db m261929) HM
Beluthahatchee, which means "a place where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten" offers unique cultural, educational, environmental, and musical programs to the public. This four-acre park was acquired in 2005 with Florida Forever Funds . . . — — Map (db m239884) HM
The Black Heritage Trail details nearly 500 years of St. Johns County Black history, from the first man of African descent to land in Florida in 1513 to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
St. Johns County boasts a rich African heritage and . . . — — Map (db m283215) HM
A wood frame cottage on this property was relocated to the Florida Agricultural Museum in 2019 after the city of St. Augustine purchased this lot.
Between 1946 and 2017 the property and cottage were owned by the prominent Meldrim family. The . . . — — Map (db m216756) HM
About 200 yards south-east of this point are the remains of the King's Coquina Quarries. (Coquina, a type of limestone composed of mollusk shells and sand, is found along the north-east coast of Florida.) Coquina was used in the building of many . . . — — Map (db m28361) HM
World War II Operation Pastorius Nazi Saboteurs Landed Here
On the night of June 16, 1942, German U-boat U-584 landed four trained Nazi agents here dressed as American civilians. After burying four boxes containing explosives . . . — — Map (db m57383) HM
Climate change and increased development along the beaches of Anastasia Island bring new challenges to the area.
Sea level rise and more numerous and stronger hurricanes erode beaches and threaten property, including historically significant . . . — — Map (db m283359) HM
John Simonton was a native of New Jersey, with business interests in Mobile, New Orleans, Cuba and Key West. Around 1818, he saw that the Harbor of Key West would become an important seaport when the United States acquired Florida from Spain in the . . . — — Map (db m223755) HM
The Wetumpka Fruit Company, founded and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, became one of the largest agricultural businesses to plant citrus groves in St. Johns County. In 1881, George Waterman Leonard and his wife, Emma Jeanette Billings . . . — — Map (db m264432) HM
America250FL Road Trip
St. Johns County, anchored by Ponte Vedra Beach, is the global epicenter of golf. It's home to TPC Sawgrass (opened 1880), the PGA Tour's iconic "Stadium Course" with its legendary 17th Island Green, hosting . . . — — Map (db m312912) HM
Built in 1891, the St. Johns County Jail held prisoners until 1953. The previous county jail was located next to the Hotel Ponce de Leon in downtown St. Augustine, Florida. Henry Morrison Flagler (1830-1913), co-founder of the Standard Oil . . . — — Map (db m79613) HM
In 1765, William Bartram, famed Colonial Naturalist visited the Coquina Quarry & recorded the flora & fauna of the area.
Erected by
The Presidents Council of Garden Clubs & St. Johns County Inc. &
Gaillardia, Dianthus, Cherokee, . . . — — Map (db m127360) HM
The Hiram Faver Trail meanders about 2.5 miles through three plant communities, arriving at the Carter plantation site at Hemming Point overlooking Pellicer Creek. Land in this park was occupied by Native Americans and later by Spanish and British . . . — — Map (db m208057) HM
Side 1
Greetings from La Florida's
Castillo De San Marcos
Side 2
America250FL Road Trip
St. Johns County's Castillo de San Marcos is a 17th-century coquina
fortress . . . — — Map (db m311293) HM
Indian River oranges, one of Florida's most outstanding products were developed in the 19th century by Douglas Dummett. The Dummett family immigrated from the Barbados in 1807. By 1825, Thomas Dummett had acquired sugar plantations on the east . . . — — Map (db m125643) HM
In the early 1800s, revolution and unrest loosened Spain's control over its colonies in the western hemisphere. As Spain dealt with greater crises elsewhere, Spanish Florida became vulnerable to British forces and their Native American allies, as . . . — — Map (db m183447) HM
The Lynching of Isaac Barrett. Isaac Barrett, an African American tenant farmer, was lynched in St. Johns County, Florida, on June 5, 1897, after he was accused of assaulting the family of his white employer. According to press accounts, Mr. . . . — — Map (db m219783) HM
One of the principle economic activities during the First Spanish Period (1565-1763) was cattle ranching. Beginning in the middle of the 17th Century, Spanish governors issued large tracts of land to prominent families, hoping to encourage the . . . — — Map (db m230097) HM
Designed and built by Franklin W. Smith, the Casa Monica Hotel opened in January 1888. The medieval Spanish style structure was one of the earliest multi-storied buildings in the United States constructed of poured concrete. In April 1888, Henry M. . . . — — Map (db m129656) HM
This site was an orange grove homestead during the booming 19th Century citrus industry. There are three historic structures, including the Bennett House, a citrus sorting shed, and the horse stables, all of which are the last remaining physical . . . — — Map (db m230208) HM
Erected in memory of the Minorcans from St. Augustine who served honorably during the War Between the States
Dedicated to the ten Confederate Soldiers buried in unmarked graves in San Lorenzo Cemetery
Andreu, Claudio D. PVT Company B, 1st . . . — — Map (db m256203) HM WM
Welcome to the former homestead of Isaac I. Moody, Jr. one of four founding fathers of Flagler County. As the county's first major real estate developer and banker, the first politician of note and the prime mover in the development of the "Old . . . — — Map (db m220426) HM
The infantryman José Tovar lived on this corner in 1763. The original site and size of his house remained unchanged during the British period, when John Johnson, a Scottish merchant, lived here. After the Spanish returned in 1784, José Coruña, a . . . — — Map (db m77286) HM
At the turn of the century St. Augustine was Florida's second largest city while 90% of the state's population was still rural.
Just west of St. Augustine the soil was quite fertile. Citrus, and chickens, pigs, goats, horses and cattle thrived. . . . — — Map (db m311410) HM
A historical Public cemetery for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals.
Throughout history, a potter's field was a place to bury those who were unable to fund proper burials. In St. Johns County, several locations served as . . . — — Map (db m312904) HM
Has a hurricane ever hit Jacksonville Beach?
Records of Northeast Florida storms began in 1885. Since that time, Jacksonville Beach has had mild hurricane activity compared to many other coastal areas. Three relatively recent storms have come . . . — — Map (db m145378) HM
Memorial
To Those Who Gave Their Lives
In The Service Of Their Country In
World War II
“St. Johns County, Florida”
“Through 1946”
Army
Adams, Horace H. • Babcock, Elliot C. • . . . — — Map (db m143655) WM
St. Augustine Beach Pier
In addition to lodging, the Beach Hotel included a sweet shop, bath house, cocktail lounge, dining rooms, and a ball room. Locals and visitors alike enjoyed dances and events here, along with surfing, fishing, . . . — — Map (db m283324) HM
Though weather events eventually destroyed the original wooden fishing pier and parts of the original seawall, St. Johns County continued to invest in maintaining tourism and recreational elements. Beach renourishment efforts began in the late 1970s . . . — — Map (db m283346) HM
Thin black lines indicate changes in relevance. Between each pair of lines entries are ordered geographically but all have the same relevance.
* Inflectional forms of words are their plurals, singulars, and possessives as well as gramatical tenses and similar variations.
