Here it is everyone and it's long but if you're a fan of American History you're going to enjoy this!
A big THANK YOU to LadyX for all the time and effort she put into helping to bring this Post about.
Here it is everyone and it's long but if you're a fan of American History you're going to enjoy this!
A big THANK YOU to LadyX for all the time and effort she put into helping to bring this Post about.
Good morning everyone.
Thanks!
and RATs want to separate the God from America PCing it into the roting Soviet style "paradise"!
Beautiful job, you two! Looks like lots of love and effort and detail went into this. Haven't had a chance to read the story yet, need to get Chachi in to the vet early for his surgery this morning. When I get back, I will grab a cup of coffee and prepare to enjoy this most interesting post. I love the history of our country, as you know. Looking forward to this. :-)
With coffee in hand, sipping it slowly, Miss Aqua, I soon will be up to speed and be adding more graphics and commentary about the city I love, and make replies into the late evening.
Your Pledge of Allegiance is beautifully appropriate, and the history of The Fort a wonderful introduction!
Lady helped me to find some neat stuff to see when I was in St. Augustine this past spring! It is truly an awesome city. Such history!
Through these portals lies one of the most remarkable of America's cities.
St. Augustine, Florida--the oldest continuously-occupied European settlement in the continental United States. Both the fort (Castillo de San Marcos) and the city gate are made of coquina, a unique sedimentary rock composed mainly of shells. These constructions, as well as houses and other buildings in the old town, have stood for over three hundred years. They were built by the Spanish in 1565, more than fifty years after Ponce de Leon discovered the area in his search for the Fountain of Youth.
Castillo de San Marcos is a square fort with diamond-shaped bastions at the corners. For many years it was the northernmost point in the Spanish holdings in the New World. It served as part of Spain's defenses along the route of her ships taking treasure from her colonies back to Spain. For the most part, the Spanish kept the moat dry and during sieges used it as a pen for domestic animals. Or if the fort was attacked by land, the moat could be quickly filled by opening flood gates and allowing in sea water from Matanzas Inlet.
The city gates stood outside the fort at the entrance to the town that was built nearby. Historians say that St. Augustine is perhaps the earliest example of community planning within the continental United States. Its streets are laid out in a pleasing grid, it has a large central plaza, and there are open spaces, patios, and gardens among all the houses.
The city and the fort were occupied by the Spanish for 235 years, after which it was given to Great Britain in exchange for La Habana, Cuba, in the Peace of Paris in 1763. At the end of the American Revolution , Florida was returned to Spain, only to be ceded back to the U.S. in 1821.
SIMON SAYS:
Simon says for a long lasting memorable live history lesson put on your walking shoes. Saunter down streets overflowing with heritage and filled with cultural marvels. Visit the oldest house at the corner of Charlotte and St. Francis Street and find out why there are no entry doors on Spanish houses on the street side. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 dollars - but go directly to jail. While touring the old jail taste the delicious wares offered, without a file baked inside. If the feast at the jail was not enough pluck a pickle from the huge crock at the oldest store museum. Original stock items still line the shelves at the store which is complete with an ornate wood stove. Browse through what was once the world's largest swimming pool and choose a special antique.
Watch the schoolmaster as he teaches his students in a one room building. At this point if those oh-so-comfortable walking shoes have lost a little of the cushion, head for the Fountain of Youth.
St. Augustine offers a variety of transportation modes besides the feet. A carriage stand is located along the bayfront. Ride in a horse drawn carriage for a narrated 2 1/2 mile tour. An impressive narrated trolley tour starts at the visitor center. It travels through town at designated stops and pick-up points. You can get on and off at your own pace. One can opt to ride the trolley for the complete cycle and check out particular sites and discharge on the second trip. While on the trolley tour you will visit the "Senator," and travel down a street which National Geographic stated as one of the most beautiful streets in America. Limbs are interlocked and form a canopy over the roadway.
Set your compass toward Flagler College and wonder how it would be to stay in immense building without air-conditioning. Henry Flagler's many landmarks are scattered through the city. Hotels built for the wealthy, hotels built for the not so wealthy and churches built for loved one's. Cross over to King Street and meander through Zorayda Castle. On George Street visit the restored Spanish Quarter Museum and watch the recreation of daily lifestyles of the Spanish soldiers and settlers of the 18th. century.
Simon says take two careful steps backwards when you come face to face with Gomek. And take 219 steps to the top of the Lighthouse Museum. Beware of mirrors at Ripley's Believe It or Not. One never knows what or who is lurking behind that mirror. Is that really Elvis standing next to Henry the eighth? It must be Potter's Wax Museum.
So many choices make the decision "Where do we eat?" extremely difficult. Fast food, seafood, steakhouses, vegetarian, ethnic cuisine, natural foods, coffee houses, delis, bakeries, bar-b-que, pastry shops, and Mom and Pop's buffet are a few of the offerings. A unique restaurant is on the pier where one can watch the dolphins come for their evening meal which is fed to them through the trap door in the floor. Try the Florida Cracker Cafe for coconut fried shrimp and key lime pie. Acoustic guitar played Friday - Sunday at 5:00 pm.
Simon says visit this enchanting, educational, historical and exciting place in suspended time.
LadyX says:
There are indeed many neat places to eat!
There is an upscale, beautiful restaurant, complete with bakery as you exit to tempt you to indulge.
LOTS of small restaurants in genuine old houses, a chalkboard outside with the 'Fare of The Day' offerings...at most, any wait is well worth it in terms of variety and good food at reasonable prices.
The atmosphere takes you right back into the history of the town!
Across from St. Augustine are separate bridges to a South Beach and a North Beach, with places to stay and get the best of both kinds of vacation!
Walk yourself silly in the center of Old St. Augustine - "shop until you drop," - visit great museums - and then cross over to a beach relax and get away time..:))
[Disclaimer #2 - I do not have any affiiiation with the Florida or St. Augustine Chambers of Commerce - LOL
I am just a Florida born, Florida loving daughter.]
I knew this would be a beautiful post and I knew it would be informative and interesting, but what an absolutely amazing job you did. You certainly wanted to go out with a BANG!, dear sistah - consider that you succeeded. Don't think for a minute we don't know how much time you spent gathering all this information and putting it together. It makes me sad that it's your last one, and yesterday I wasn't sad. Today I am.
It's beautiful, and I love you both. Thank you.
You've made a history lesson highly enjoyable and held my intrest (something my former teachers didn't have the knack for)
I will bookmark this thread for later perusing. I haven't read each and every word but, so far....so good. : )
Very classy thread. (((((((Aqa-Maggie)))))))
