We got many of our chores done. Both Gypsy and the Navigator got baths, the Navigator got serviced, laundry got done, groceries were purchased, pedicure felt so good, and some shopping for a wish list item was done too. But, there is SO much history here and such a large number of things to see and do in St. Augustine that it is a good thing that we stayed two weeks.
We purchased Trolley Tours tickets and the package we chose gave us unlimited rides on the trolley and tickets to a large number of places to go.
Our first tour was through the Oldest Store Museum.
The Oldest Store Museum re-creates the original St. Augustine general store that was operated by C.F. Hamblen in 1908.
It was like stepping back in time.............a time we had never known. This was my favorite piece. A pretty portable pantry. The guide said that it was to go in a wagon but I think it would look good in an RV!
Fun to see all the interesting items. The best was hearing about all of the "cure all" medicines. Most of it was made up of whiskey, spring water, opium or morphine.
The next visit was to the Old St. Johns County Jail.
In 1891, with the opening of his Ponce de Leon hotel, Henry Flagler (more about him and his importance in St. Augustine later) wanted to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for his patrons by creating a secure fortress to house criminals. It was important to Mr.Flagler that the exterior appearance of this fortress wouldn’t disrupt the majestic atmosphere of the Ancient City. In order to accomplish this, it was designed with a Romanesque Revival style that gave it the distinct appearance of a Victorian house without the interior comfort and charm. It was almost unrecognizable as a jail apart from the barred windows. Those barred windows at that time had no glass in them so the prisoners were subject to whatever was outside. Storms, heat, bugs were all able to come in.
It was built by the same company that built Alcatraz. Conditions were terrible. Bathrooms were a single bucket for each cell. And those barred windows with no glass.............perfect for throwing out the bucket contents.
Prisoners only lasted about two years before dying from disease, violence, malnutrition, or being hung. The only time a doctor came was on hanging days. The death rate was notorious and they do not have a recorded number of people who died there. Believe me you didn't want to break the law in St. Johns County in the late 1800's.
Next up the Old St. Augustine History Museum. Some history, some fun.
This is how RV'ing began. The Tin Can Tourists was an RV Club that was organized at DeSoto Park, Tampa in 1919. It developed into 100,000 member national organization. They spent their winters in Florida.
The club is still in existence as a club for those with vintage RV's. We sure camp a lot more luxurious today.
I was amazed that this plate was close to 300 years old. The colors are so beautiful. The museum had many pieces of elegant items that were brought to St. Augustine from Spain.
The eight or the Spanish dollar was the coin upon which the original United States dollar was based, and it remained legal tender in the United States until the Coinage Act of 1857.
This silver ingot was recovered from a ship that sank in 1622 off the coast of Florida. There is so much history here that our brains are on overload.
We spent a day at the Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. It is the 1513 Florida landing site of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon.
On April 2, 1513 Ponce de Leon landed here and claimed Florida ( Pascua Florida meaning Flowering Easter) for the Spanish Crown. The story that he was searching for "The Fountain of Youth" has been passed along with no actual historical substantiation. However, look closely at us and in the future if we have not changed come to St. Augustine and sample the nasty tasting sulphur water for yourself.
The explorer made no mention of the Fountain of Youth in his logs or letters sent , focusing instead on his desire to settle the land, spread Christianity and discover whether Florida was an island or peninsula. But, just to be safe we both sampled the water.
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park sits where the original Saint Augustine Settlement was built. It is our Nation's oldest permanently inhabited settlement that was founded by Europeans.
It was founded by Pedro Menendez Aviles on September 8, 1565. He brought with him 500 soldiers, 200 sailors, and 100 colonists. From there the history of St. Augustine began. It has been under the flags of France,Spain, Britain, the Confederancy and the U.S. with so much violence, illnesses, fires, pirate raids, and much more that it is hard to wrap your mind around it all.
The park is filled with artifacts that remain from hundreds of years ago. These huge clay pots came over on the ships from Spain filled with such things as foods, red wine, and olive oil.
They have a Planetarium where they give a very educational demonstration of how Ponce de Leon's crew were able to follow the stars to navigate to find their way to the New World. Amazing!
The Discovery Globe is an impressive 30 foot high demonstration that illustrates the routes of the explorers to and from the New World, the extent of the lands of La Florida, and the settlements and cities that they founded.
The grounds are extensive with lush plantings as well as a huge open area where the archaeological dig is in progress. They have unearthed remnants of the original Spanish buildings, Timucan Indian ruins, as well as jewelry, beads and the like. The original find were skeletons that were found by gardeners doing some planting.
The stars of the Park are the peacocks. Especially the white ones. The muster of peacocks at the park number about 30.
I wonder if he knows that his plumage looks like huge snowflakes.
While we were there I got my first sighting in the wild of a blue crab. The blue is so vivid. I don't think seeing how pretty they are will stop me from eating them. Blue crab is tasty.
Such a nice setting to have our minds expanded learning more history. And to think we have only just begun. More to come.
Bob Hope