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VACATION & TRAVEL AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL • JANUARY 4 - 10, 2017
ST. AUGUSTINE: BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO
DGILDERUBIO@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
There are few cities in the world—much less in the United States—that exude a greater combination of history, art and culture than St. Augustine. Since its inception, St. Augustine has switched hands from the Spanish to the British back to the Spanish and eventually the United States, where it was briefly the capital of the Florida Territory when it became a U.S. possession in 1822. Here are some of the most notable dates in St. Augustine history. April 2, 1513—First sighting—Juan Ponce de Leon sighted land off the coast at 30 degrees 8 minutes longitude; which would have put him off the coast of St. Augustine. Sept. 8, 1565—The Birth of St. Augustine— Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles along with 800 settlers landed here, held the first feast of Thanksgiving with the natives, established the first Catholic Parish on the North American Continent and named their new settlement. March 1668—Captain Robert Searle sacks the City of St. Augustine—Captain Robert Searle and his privateers sailed from Jamaica to loot the silver ingots (metals that can be shaped into various things) held in the royal coffers (small chests) at St. Augustine. 1672 to 1692—The Castillo de San Marcos is built to protect the City of St. Augustine. The Spanish feared Searle would return to St. Augustine; also the British were now inhabiting lands to the North (Jamestown). The Castillo took a bit more than 20 years to build. It is made of coquina rock, a native stone found here. 1738—The establishment of Gracia Real de Santa
450 YEARS OF LIVING HISTORY
Teresa de Mose—Fort Mose became the first legally sanctioned free black town in the present-day United States. June 13, 1740—The Siege on St. Augustine—Georgia Governor James Oglethorpe led the siege of St. Augustine by blockading the city, including the Matanzas Inlet. 1764 to 1784—St. Augustine and all of La Florida becomes British territory and remains so through the American Revolution. In 1777, a group of 600 Menorcans arrived in St. Augustine. Instead of fleeing from rebels, these people sought sanctuary from the cruel conditions under which they had labored on Dr. Turnbull’s indigo plantation at New Smyrna. 1812—The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was established on March 19, 1812 by the Cádiz Cortes, Spain’s first national sovereign assembly. Each of the Spanish Colonies was ordered to finance and build a monument to commemorate the new form of government. July 10, 1821—Florida became a United States Territory and St. Augustine became a U.S. Pioneer settlement. Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845. 1961 to 1964—Civil Rights movement in St. Augustine—As with many southern cities in the U.S., Blacks in the community challenged the racial status quo. Sit-ins, marches and demonstrations led by Reverend Martin Luther King, Andrew Young and many others began to gain national attention in the summer of 1964. 1965—The Nation’s Oldest City celebrates its 400th Birthday. The oldest city’s culture and history were presented in a week-long celebration featuring parades, re-enactments and speeches that gained national attention.
A statue in downtown St. Augustine erected in honor of Spanish explorer and governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de León, who claimed La Florida for the Spanish crown while sailing as far north of the future site of St. Augustine in 1513. (Photo by Dave Gil de Rubio)
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VACATION & TRAVEL • JANUARY 4 -10, 2017
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two-time Daytona 500 Champion Dale Earnhardt, Jr. that he will return to competition in the 2017 race. Earnhardt, Jr. won in 2004 then again 10 years later in 2014. The Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. Visit www.daytona500.com or call 800-748-7867 for tickets. Hospitality and premium seating are also available. Also check out www.primesport. com for ticketing, lodging and hospitality packages.
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St. Augustine:
The Nation’s Oldest City St. Augustine, known as The Ancient City, is located between Northeast and East Central Florida and is convenient to Jacksonville, Orlando and Daytona airports. North Florida boasts a year-round mild climate perfect for strolling St. Augustine’s delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, bars, unique shops and bed and breakfast inns. Experience the beauty of an early morning that slowly comes alive with locals and tourists setting out on foot to explore significant landmarks including Lightner Museum, Flagler College and Fort Matanzas. The town also boasts 43 pristine miles of beaches.
Lightner Museum family fun and adventure.
Recreation & Sports
If you love to golf or play tennis, St. Augustine is the place for you. The many marinas dotted around the area make boating access convenient by sea, river, or Intracoastal Waterway. Attractions Fishing, diving, surfing, parasailing Sun, fun, history, and mystery—St. Augustine has it all. From the Castillo and other water sports are abundant. OldCity.com has the inside track on de San Marcos National Monument what’s happening in the St. Augustine to the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! 132everything East Second Street, Mineola, NY Visit 11501 community. www.oldcity.com to Museum and in between, 516-747-8282 AntonMediaGroup.com • learn more. St. Augustine is an ideal locale for
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VACATION & TRAVEL • JANUARY 4 -10, 2017
While in Daytona Beach, don’t limit your visit to the beach. Take a tour. Soak up some history as well as some sun. Here are four tour picks:
Daytona: Take A Tour
Beach, includes sugar mill ruins, nature trails, picnic facilities and an open-air museum. Open daily 8 a.m. from 5 p.m. Visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/bulow-creek for more information.
Mary McLeod Bethune Home
Lilian Place
Enjoy a tour of the oldest house on Daytona’s beachside, Lilian Place. This Victorian house was built in 1884 by one of the city’s first settlers, Laurence Thompson. Tours offered daily, except Tuesdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Visit www.heritagepreservationtrust. org for more information.
Cracker Creek & Gamble Place
Enjoy learning about old Florida
Bulow Plantation Ruins State Historic Site pioneer history in nearby Port $5; children $3. Visit www.crackerOrange. Once the winter home of creek.com for details. James N. Gamble, of the Procter and Bulow Plantation Ruins Gamble Company, Gamble Place is adjacent to Cracker Creek, and is State Historic Site surrounded by an associated 175Marvel at the former “Bulow Ville” acre nature preserve. Tours every plantation, founded in 1821 and Friday and Saturday by reservation destroyed in the Seminole Indian only. Admission: adults $6; senior War. The park, in nearby Flagler
Enjoy a tour of the legendary educator and civil rights activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s historic home. Built in 1904, it was her home from 1914 until her passing in 1955. Stop in to walk in the footsteps of the legendary leader. Tours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment. Admission is free. Visit www.cookman.edu/foundation for details.
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