Florida is broadly recognized for its stunning seashores and immersive theme parks, however do you know the Sunshine State can be dwelling to the oldest metropolis within the nation?
St. Augustine was based in 1565 by soldier Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés of Spain, based on the Go to Florida web site.
Earlier than this, Juan Ponce de León first found Florida in 1513 whereas searching for a rumored fountain of youth believed to be on an island known as Bimini, based on Historical past.com.
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The settlement initially occupied by these of European and African American origin is the oldest regularly inhabited metropolis within the nation.
The colony obtained its title because it was noticed on Aug. 28 by Menéndez, the feast day of St. Augustine, based on Historical past.com. The explorer set foot on the Florida coast “with a lot pomp and circumstance and 600 voyagers cheering,” the Metropolis of St. Augustine says on its web site.

Lots of St. Augustine’s historic landmarks can nonetheless be visited as we speak, such because the Castillo de San Marcos, which started building in 1672. (Harvey Meston/Getty Photos I Heritage Artwork/Heritage Photos through Getty Photos)
The objective of Menéndez was to drive out the French, based on the Nationwide Parks Service.
On the time of its founding, the town had a goal of serving as a army outpost and as a base for Catholic missionary settlements, based on the Metropolis of St. Augustine web site.
Through the early days of St. Augustine, there have been many battles held on the land, together with these with English pirates raiding the town on a number of events.
For instance, in June 1586, a British fleet led by Sir Francis Drake raided the town and burned St. Augustine.
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As a result of raids, the Castillo de San Marcos, a everlasting stone fortress, started building in 1672. The fort nonetheless stands within the metropolis as we speak and is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot for guests.
In 1763, with the signing of the First Treaty of Paris, St. Augustine was turned over to British management, based on the Florida Division of State.

St. Augustine is named America’s oldest metropolis. (Heritage Artwork/Heritage Photos through Getty Photos)
In 1783, one other treaty was signed, by which colonies north of Florida gained independence and Florida returned to Spain, based on the Metropolis of St. Augustine. This led to a time interval that many historians discuss with because the Second Spanish Interval.
Throughout this time interval, America was increasing. In 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed between the U.S. and Spain, which gave Florida to the US. This treaty took impact in 1821. In 1845, Florida grew to become the twenty seventh state in the US.
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As we speak, St. Augustine’s early beginnings are nonetheless intertwined into the town with the numerous museums and historic landmarks discovered all through.
St. Augustine is a highly regarded vacationer vacation spot, with tens of millions heading to the town yearly. Guests to the town take pleasure in its lavish seashores, historic monuments in addition to the Spanish tradition nonetheless current within the metropolis, similar to via its structure.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is one in all many common vacationer sights positioned in St. Augustine, Florida. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photos)
Whereas in St. Augustine, visiting Castillo de San Marcos Nationwide Monument is a must-see for a lot of vacationers, in addition to seeing the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.
Additionally in St. Augustine, you may store on St. George Avenue and go to the Colonial Quarter when you’re there, the place you may absolutely immerse your self within the historical past of the town.
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Different common historic vacationer stops to make whereas in St. Augustine contains St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.