St Augustine Florida – US Deep South 2017

 

he evening we arrived in St Augustine had us scratching our heads. The thousands of lights seemingly draped over any tree of building above ground, and the thousands of people milling, crowding on to trolley cars singing carols, laughing, and generally having a ton of fun. Coney Island by the sea.

So ‘Americana’. Let us out of here!

The next morning, we find the cutest little town that has its roots back in the 16 century when the Spanish first colonised this part of the US.

Britain had done a deal with Spain giving them title to Florida in exchange for their taking over Cuba.

Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine Florida replaced the last of nine successive wooden forts, which since 1565 had affirmed Spanish dominion and protected Spanish shipping returning to Spain.

During the mid-1560s, the Spanish Empire expanded from its Caribbean strongholds northward, to what is Florida today. The first colony which was founded and remained continuously occupied was St. Augustine. Spanish settlers began immediately to establish a Catholic church.

The old buildings of St Augustine now house ice cream shops, souvenirs, restaurants, bars and so much else. But retains the colonial traces everywhere.

Click here to view Photo Album of St Augustine Florida