Florida is widely known for its beautiful beaches and amazing theme parks, but did you know the Sunshine State is also home to America’s oldest city?
St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish military officer Don Pedro Menendez de Avilés, according to the Florida Tourism website.
According to History.com, Juan Ponce de Leon first discovered Florida in 1513 while searching for the rumored Fountain of Eternity on the island of Bimini.
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Originally inhabited by people of European and African-American descent, this settlement is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the country.
According to History.com, the colony was so named because Menendez discovered it on August 28, the feast day of St. Augustine. According to the city of St. Augustine’s website, the explorer set foot on the Florida coast “amid great ceremony and the cheers of 600 sailors.”
Many of St. Augustine’s historic buildings can still be visited today, including Castillo de San Marcos, construction of which began in 1672. (Harvey Meston/Getty Images I Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
According to the National Park Service, Menendez’s goal was to drive the French out.
According to the St. Augustine City website, when the city was founded, it was intended to serve as a military outpost and a base for a Catholic missionary settlement.
In St. Augustine’s early years, the site saw many battles, including multiple raids on the city by English pirates.
For example, in June 1586, an English fleet led by Sir Francis Drake attacked the city and burned St. Augustine.
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The raids prompted the start of construction of a permanent stone fortress, Castillo de San Marcos, in 1672, which still stands in the city today and is a popular tourist destination.
According to the Florida State Department, St. Augustine was transferred to British control in 1763 with the signing of the First Treaty of Paris.
St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in America. (Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
According to the City of St. Augustine, another treaty was signed in 1783, granting independence to the northern Florida colonies and returning Florida to Spain, beginning what many historians call the Second Spanish Period.
During this time, the United States continued to expand. In 1819, the Adams-Onís Treaty was signed between the United States and Spain, ceding Florida to the United States. The treaty went into effect in 1821. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state of the United States.
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Today, St. Augustine’s early beginnings remain deeply rooted in the city, with numerous museums and historic buildings found throughout the city.
St. Augustine is a hugely popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to enjoy the city’s gorgeous beaches, historic sites, and architecture that showcase its Spanish culture.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is one of many popular attractions in St. Augustine, Florida. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
While in St. Augustine, a visit to the San Marcos Castle National Monument and the historic St. Augustine Cathedral are must-sees for many visitors.
In St. Augustine, you can also immerse yourself in the city’s history by shopping on St. George Street or visiting the Colonial District.
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Other popular historic attractions to visit while in St. Augustine include the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.
