A black and white photograph of the Castillo de San Marcos (then Fort Marion) in St. Augustine Florida. The photo faces north and features the sea wall along Matanzas Bay on the right side of the image. The coquina for stands in a 'moat' full of grass.

Glimpses of St. Augustine

View images of St. Augustine from over a hundred years ago.

"Glimpses of St. Augustine" is a collection of historical images of St. Augustine, taken in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Browse these photos to peek into the architecture and feel of what the Ancient City was like a century ago.

(Captions by Cheyenne B. Koth)

A black and white photograph of the Old City Gates of St. Augustine, Florida. This historical image was probably taken in the early 1900s. The gates are made of blacks of coquina stone and have two square towers on either side of a dirt road and a red cypress tree can be seen on the left side of the image, growing taller than the walls of the gate.

CITY GATEWAY —

The present St. Augustine City Gates were built in 1808 during the Second Spanish Period of St. Augustine's history. They are part of the Cubo line, which protected the city's northern barrier. The gate was initially made of wood and was built in 1739. These coquina stone pillars mark the beginning of St. George Street, which is now a bustling tourist hub. In 1907, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Florida erected a marker on the City Gates to preserve their historical significance.

A historical photograph in black and white. Aerial view of the Matanzas Bay and the Castillo de San Marcos (then called Fort Marion). The foreground is filled with the fort lawn, which is criss-crossed with white sand walking paths. The fort is a coquina structure with a bastion to the North (left side of the image). The photo is arranged so that Anastasia Island is visible in the background, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is also visible on the right side of the image.

FORT MARION LOOKING TOWARDS THE SEA —

Though it is now known as the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, "the fort" (as locals call it) has carried several names. When the Second Spanish Period ended and Florida became a US territory, it became a US Military outpost and was renamed Fort Marion, after the infamous South Carolina Swampfox, Francis Marion. Its strategic location which once assisted military powers in defending the Ancient City now invites visitors to learn about America's history (not to mention offers an amazing view of Matanzas Bay).

A historical photograph in black and white. An interior view of the Castillo de San Marcos (then Fort Marion) that shows the Eastern staircase to the lookout deck and Eastern wall of the fort, which has a line of doors and windows to the inner chambers.

INTERIOR FORT MARION —

The inner chambers of the Castillo de San Marcos / Fort Marion have long entranced visitors to the city. They have served many different purposes — from barracks for soldiers to cells for prisoners to interpretive spaces of public learning. American history has played out in the small, dank, coquina-walled rooms of this fort.

A historical photograph in black and white. View of a house on St. Francis Street in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a two story house with an odd stone tower in the bacl.

THE OLD HOUSE ON ST. FRANCIS STREET —

The Gonzalez-Alvarez House, also known as 'The Oldest House' is a National Historic Landmark on St. Francis Street in St. Augustine, Florida. According to the National Parks Service, evidence suggests that the site of the house has been occupied since the 1600s but the present house began construction in 1723. The tower that is visible on the right side of the image was added between 1886 and 1900.

A historical image in black and white. A panoramic view of the Plaza de la Constitution in St. Augustine, Florida. The Cathedral's spire can be seen in the center of the image, with the old Public Market in the foreground on the right. Both the monument to the constitution and the old Confederate monument are visible.

THE PLAZA, MONUMENT, AND CATHEDRAL —

The Plaza de la Constituciónhas long been a site of St. Augustine's cultural, political, and religious history. In the center of town just on the bayfront, this public greenspace holds many monuments that commemorate American history and sites in which history has occurred(like the St. Augustine Public Market, which is visible in the above image).

A historical photograph in black and white. A view of the Hotel Alcazar (now St. Augustine City Hall and the Lightner Museum) in St. Augustine, Florida. The Alcazar has two main towers on its King Street facing wall, and a courtyard of palmetto trees in the front. The view down Granada Street reveals pedestrians and carriages.

THE ALCAZAR —

Now the home of the Lightner Museum, the Hotel Alcazar was once a popular resort hotel that boasted luxurious amenities for Gilded Era visitors. From biking trails to saunas and swimming pools, The Alcazar was a sister hotel to Henry Flagler's Ponce de Leon Hotel, having also been designed by Carrere and Hastings.

FORT MARION, WATER BATTERY —

When Florida became an American territory in 1821, the city of St. Augustine underwent many changes — in population, leaders, and appearance. One major change for the Castillo de San Marcos (which had then been renamed Fort Marion) was the 1838-1842 modification of the already-existing Spanish sea wall. The new sea wall made room for a new barbette gun, as well as a Hot-Shot Furnace — the remains of both can be seen in the above image.

SEA WALL —

The St. Augustine Sea Wall was first constructed in 1696, just after the Castillo de San Marcos was completed. During Florida's early Statehood (around 1832), citizens of the city gathered together to secure federal funding for the sea wall to be improved. After a certain amount of drama between the engineers, the sea wall was completed in 1846 and has since been updated as the city has expanded.

THE VEDDER MUSEUM —

Once located on the corner of Avenida Menendez and Treasury Street in St. Augustine, The Vedder Museum was run by St. Augustine dentist Dr. John Vedder. His collection included taxidermied animals and marine life as well as other oddities that either struck his fancy or were related to St. Augustine. Photographs of the interior of The Vedder Museum (which can be found in the St. Augustine Historical Society collections) reveal that Vedder's exhibits also talked about the history of the building, which he believed to have been built for Spanish Royal Officials in 1689.

THE VILLA ZORAYDA —

The Villa Zorayda was built in 1883 to be the winter residence of Franklin W. Smith, a Bostonian merchant from a wealthy family. The impressive poured concrete and coquina building was a site of recreation and revelry, having been a club, casino, and speakeasy in different eras. The Mussallem family have been the owners and proprietors of the Villa Zorayda for over 109 years, according to the Villa Zorayda website. The building is now a beautiful museum that discusses the history of St. Augustine and hosts an impressive antique collection. Notice how the building was overgrown with vines during the late 1800s / early 1900s — this was probably a stylistic choice, meant to emphasize the antiquity of the Villa Zorayda.

A black and white photograph of the Hotel Ponce de Leon on King Street in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a massive building with many architectural features and windows. The sandy streets in front of it are filled with horse-drawn carriages of different sizes. Also visible is the courtyard of the Alcazar Hotel (now the Lightner Museum), which has a fountain in the center and is filled with shrubbery.

THE PONCE DE LEON —

The Ponce de Leon Hotel had its grand opening in January of 1888, after being constructed in just 18 months. It was the brainchild of Robber Baron Henry M. Flagler, who intended to turn St. Augustine into the 'Winter Newpark' of the Gilded Era. His wish came true, and countless Northern tourists have visited St. Augustine since.

A historical photograph in black and white of the Cordova Hotel (now the Casa Monica)in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a grand hotel with many different architectural features in the Spanish style. In the foreground of the photo, the street and sidewalk in front of the Cordova is hidden by the gardens of the Hotel Alcazar (now the Lightner Museum) across the street.

HOTEL CORDOVA —

Now (and initially) called the Casa Monica (after the mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo) this grand hotel was also built by Franklin W. Smith, who constructed the Villa Zorayda. It debuted the same year that the Ponce de Leon Hotel opened, in 1888. However, Franklin apparently did not have the same business sense as his neighbor, Henry M. Flagler. Flagler bought the Casa Monica the same year it opened and renamed it the Cordova Hotel. Nearly two centuries later, the building is operated as the Casa Monica Resort & Spa and has hosted many illustrious guests.

A historical photograph in black and white of the main tower of the Cordova Hotel (now the Casa Monica), which is on the coerner of Cordova and King Streets in St. Augustine, Florida.

CORDOVA CORNER —

This image shows the corner of King Street and Cordova Street in St. Augustine, which is bordered by the Casa Monica Resort and Spa / Cordova Hotel. The street-level sign that reads 'Ask Mr. Foster' is the entrance to a travel agency of the same name, where visitors could buy steamship maps and souvenirs.

A historical photograph in black and white of Treasury Street in St. Augustine, Florida. Being considered the narrowest street in America, Treasury street appears tight with coquina houses on both sides. Through the alleyway, the Matanzas Bayfront and palm trees are visible.

TREASURY STREET FROM BAY STREET —

Known as the narrowest street in the United States, local legends say that Treasury Street was built to be only wide enough for two men carrying a chest to pass through. The real reason for the small size of the street is not obvious, according to the Governor's House Library, but has piqued the interest of history buffs and photographers for centuries.

A historical photograph in black and white. Panorama view of the courtyard of the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, Florida. The courtyard is criss-crossed with coquina stone paths and filled with tropical plantlife.

PANORAMA OF COURT OF HOTEL PONCE DE LEON, HOTEL ALCAZAR, AND HOTEL CORDOVA —

The Ponce de Leon, Alcazar, and Cordova Hotels were the cornerstones of Henry Flagler's resort empire in St. Augustine. All three establishments offered luxurious amenities to visiting aristocrats and tourists. All three boasted grand architecture that was meant to evoke images of Old Spain, whilst the bountiful courtyards were reminiscent of tropical paradises.

A historical photograph in black and white. An aerial view of the courtyard of the Alcazar hotel (now the Lightner Museum). The courtyard is populated with huge palm trees. Granada street on the right side of the image has one sole pedestrian.

ALCAZAR HOTEL AND CORDOVA ANNEX FROM TOWER OF PONCE DE LEON —

This aerial view of the Alcazar Hotel (now home to the Lightner Museum) shows just how prominent landscaping was in Henry Flagler's resorts. The courtyard of the Alcazar Hotel is filled with tropical plants, and large vines were allowed to climb the walls of the hotel.

A historical photograph in black and white. The Cathedral and its tower can be seen in the background, with several tropical palm trees in the foreground.

OLD CATHEDRAL —

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the current home of the first Catholic Parish in North America, which was founded when Pedro Menendez founded the city in 1565. This image shows how the Plaza de la Constitución has changed, as well.

A historical image in black and white. It shows a woman in a long dark dress walking along a paved path next to tropical shrubbery.

IN THE PLAZA —

St. Augustine's Plaza de la Constitución is still an epicenter of local and tourist activities. It seems that even (perhaps especially) in the late 1800s, people sought shade to beat the heat.

A black and white photograph of a street in St. Augustine, Florida, late 1800s, early 1900s. The street is sand / dirt and spotted with horse droppings. Store signs hang above the street and power lines can be seen above the rooves of the lane of buildings, which are brick, stucco, and wood. Some people can be seen in the background, running errands.

ST. GEORGE STREET —

Just south of the City Gates, St. George Street is one of St. Augustine's main streets for shopping. Old photos of city streets, like the one above, show valuable snippets of daily life from the past.

A black and white photograph of a street in St. Augustine, Florida. The focus is on the left side of the image, where a line of buildings can be seen. They are mostly two-story buildings made of coquina stone or stucco. Some have balconies that overhang the muddy street. In the foreground, some men in dark suits and hats face the camera, the closest ot the camera having a mustache. Further down the road, a few more people face the camera, women included. All of these people seem to be White.

CHARLOTTE STREET —

A black and white photograph of a two story building in St. Augustine, Florida. The side of the building that faces the brick street is painted with the words "Dodge's Old Qriosity Shop." in a fantastical serif font. To the left of those words is an image of Spanish coat of arms. On the side of the house that faces south, the words "The Old House" are painted in the same font. There are two doors facing the street and two windows. The windows look to have items displayed.

THE OLD HOUSE ON ST. GEORGE STREET —

Located on St. George Street, the building that once was 'Dodge's Old Qriosity Shop' is now known as the Paredes-Dodge House. The house that stands today was built during the Second Spanish Period in Florida, but the property has been occupied since the 1600s. Today, the Paredes-Dodge House is occupied by one of St. George Street's many gift shops.

A black and white photograph of a fresco by Virgilio Tojetti, which is displayed in the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, Florida. Two painted cherubs frolick, hanging on to a garland made of luxurious fabric. The cherub on the right does not have wings and sits with a white rabbit in its lap, kissing its face. The second cherub in the right has wings, and relaxes on its stomach as if listening to the other talk. Both cherubs are white.

A black and white photograph of a fresco by Virgilio Tojetti, which is displayed in the Grand Parlor of the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, Florida. Three painted cherubs can be seen frolic, holding onto a garland of flowers and luxurious fabric. The two cherubs in the foreground have wings and light colored hair, and embrace. The third cherub stands above them, facing away.

TOJETTI FRESCOES, HOTEL PONCE DE LEON —

The two above frescoes were painted by Virgilio Tojetti in the Grand Parlor of the Hotel Ponce de Leon on King Street in St. Augustine, Florida. Their delicate features and pastel colors were a perfect match for the room, which was meant to entertain female guests to the resort.

A black and white photograph of an enormous hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a four story building with several chimneys, dozens of windows, and a wrap around porch. On the right of the photo, the building has a tall spire. A lawn stretches into the foreground and the image is framed by oak trees and palm trees, which throw shade on the grass.

HOTEL MAGNOLIA —

According to advertisements of the time, the Hotel Magnolia was a luxurious and centrally located hotel on St. George Street.

A black and white photograph of a street in St. Augustine, Florida. In the foreground on the right side of the image a group of white people stand against a fence -- two men, a woman, and a child. More white people stand in the street near a carriage.These people are in front of a two story house that is likely made of coquina. Facing the camera, two more people (a young couple) look out the window. Underneath their window is a sign that reads "WHITNEY'S: Oldest House in the US"

THE OLD HOUSE —

Once known as 'Whitney's Oldest House' this photograph shows what the Don Toledo/ Gaspar Papey House looked like in the late 1800s / early 1900s. Located on Aviles Street, this building is now a part of the Sisters of St. Joseph convent/school complex on Aviles Street in St. Augustine.

A black and white photograph of a large house in St. Augustine, Florida. It looks to be at least three stories but is shrouded by palm and cedar trees, which line the sidewalk. The house has a wrap around porch that is dotted with chairs. The figure of a small person can be seen on the walkway to the house on the left of the image.

THE FLORIDA HOUSE —

A black and white drawing of a large hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a four story building of massive size, with spores on its corners and many windows facing a grand lawn filled with tropical plants and little drawn tourists in their light colored clothes.

HOTEL ST. GEORGE —

A black and white photograph of a large house in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a three story house of wood with a panel facade. Its ground and second floors have balconies white the third has several dormer windows. At least three chimneys stand above the roof. The foreground is filled with a lawn that has many tropical plants-- mostly palm trees.

THE BUCKINGHAM —

A black and white photograph of a building in St. Augustine, Florida. TIn the foreground is an intersection of sandy streets. The building that is the focus of the image is a three story building that nearly extends down the entire block. Several soldiers in uniform stand in the front of the building.

ST. FRANCIS BARRACKS, FORMERLY FRANCISCAN CONVENT —

Now the headquarters of the Florida Army National Guard (which is arguably the oldest branch of the National Guard in America), the above building has been a central player in the history of St. Augustine.

A black and white photograph of a grand church in St. Augustine, Florida. In the foreground is a sandy street and a small pile of horse droppings. A fence extends from the right hand side of the image towards the focus of the photo, which is a massive church. The church is made of stone and stands at well over three stories tall, the tallest structure of the church being a domed tower that has a cross on top. Palm trees being grown on the ground are dwarfed by the beautiful building's spires and windows.

MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH —

Memorial Presbyterian Church was built by Henry Flagler in 1890 to memorialize his daughter, Jennie Louise Flagler Benedict. The congregation at this church is the oldest Presbyterian congregation in the state of Florida.

Profile Keywords

American History Architecture Art History Cultural History Religious History