The oldest wooden
schoolhouse in St.
Augustine was built
in the 18th century.Still, St. Augustine endures. As the
region recovers, visitors shouldn’t
overlook it.
A few years ago, we traveled a
portion of northeast Florida’s A1A
Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway,
a 72-mile drive that starts in South
Ponte Vedra Beach and ends near
Flagler Beach. Our route covered
the 23-mile section that begins in
St. Augustine. Along the way we
found historic sites, state parks
and national monuments.
This enchanting city is a joy to
wander, with narrow cobblestone
streets lined with buildings in a
mix of architectural styles, such
as Spanish, French and English.
The Castillo de San Marcos is St.
Augustine’s oldest structure. Built
in 1672 to repel British attacks,
it’s the oldest masonry fort in the
continental United States and a
national monument.
St. Augustine’s transformation
into a prime vacation spot for the
elite began in 1888,when wealthy
entrepreneur Henry Flagler built
the magnificent Hotel Ponce de
Leon. The structure, designed in
Spanish Renaissance Revival style,
is now part of Flagler College’s
stunning campus.
Southeast of St. Augustine, we
crossed the Matanzas River on the
Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island.
There, we met family who were
camping in Anastasia State Park,
a beautiful 1,600-acre park with
nature trails, tidal salt marshes and
4 miles of unspoiled beaches.
While on the island, we visited the
nearby St. Augustine Lighthouse
and Maritime Museum. Climbing
to the top of the 165-foot tower
rewarded us with spectacular
views of St. Augustine, Matanzas
Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
As we continued, we traveled
through a few pristine beaches
before stopping at Fort Matanzas
National Monument. From the
visitor center we were ferried to
MAP ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT SCHILLERLive oaks thrive in nearby
Washington Oaks Gardens
State Park. Far right:
Grace Methodist Church54 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018