View allAll Photos Tagged CastillodeSanMarcos
SUNRISE - Public Beach - Atlantic Ocean Inlet - BIG WAVE!
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - July 5th, 2024 - calm scene
Vilano Beach - Atlantic Ocean - First Light - jetty boulders
Choppy Sea - Sunrise Drama at the Inlet - Summer 2024
4th of July Holiday - Northern Florida - The Treasure Coast
------------------HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2024------------
*[left-double-click for a closer look - distant avian frolicking]
*[Moody Morning - dramatic dawn - orange-gold light - sun-up]
*[inlet jetty - dramatic dawn light - jetty - rocks - pool reflection]
*[Atlantic Ocean - warm-morning light - very active ocean inlet]
*[pelicans - seagulls - great egret - snowy egret - wood stork]
*[Start of the Day - Gorgeous Day - Independance Day Week]
*[pretty special: a few wave-tips lit up by the sunrise sunlight]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagler_College
SUNRISE - Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - EARLY Tuesday
Vilano Beach - Atlantic Ocean - First Light - July 4th, 2023
Choppy Sea - Sunrise drama at the Inlet - Summer 2023
4th of July Holiday - Northern Florida - Treasure Coast
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - inlet jetty - dramatic up light]
*[Atlantic Ocean - warm-morning-light - active ocean-inlet]
*[Start of the Day - Gorgeous Day! - Independance Day!]
---Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - 4th of July 2022---
---Stars and Stripes: 50 STARS - 13 Stripes ---
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Bridge of Lions - Independence Day 2022
Up On the Bridge - Freedom Rings - 7/4/22
Captured from atop the iconic Bridge of Lions - 1924
5 minutes after Fireworks! - Happy Independence Day!
*[that young-man waved his big lightbulb-lit-flag for 2 hours!
I'd say he's pretty proud to be here...and to be an American!]
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Bridge of Lions Span]
Our 9th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
SUNRISE ~ Independence Day Week
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/5/19
SUNRISE - Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - EARLY Tuesday
Vilano Beach - Atlantic Ocean - First Light - July 4th, 2023
Choppy Sea - Sunrise drama at the Inlet - Summer 2023
4th of July Holiday - Northern Florida - Treasure Coast
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - inlet jetty - dramatic up light]
*[Atlantic Ocean - warm-morning-light - active ocean-inlet]
*[Start of the Day - Gorgeous Day! - Independance Day!]
El Castillo de San Marcos de El Puerto de Santa MarÃa se construye a partir de una antigua mezquita islámica que se transforma en iglesia fortificada en tiempos de Alfonso X El Sabio hacia el año 1264
Esta foto tiene derechos de autor. Por favor, no la utilice sin mi conocimiento y autorización. Gracias.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit
permission. © All rights reservats. Thanks.
Mis fotos:
500px.com/JavierMartinezdelaOssa
Y las mas interesantes:
Fort Castillo de San Marcos - Masonry Fortress
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2024 - 7/4/24
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2024 - July 4th, 2024
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabal_palmetto
The sabal palmetto (also known as cabbage palm),
is the state tree of both South Carolina and Florida.
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - NE+NW star-point-corners]
*[those are seagulls and grackles 'resting' on the taller tower]
Construction on the fortress was from 1672-1695. The native
coquina (soft shell) stone was quarried from a local island.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/castillodesanmarcos1.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
History of Saint Augustine: Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513. (Christopher Columbus discovered North America in 1492 but actually landed in the Bahamas.) Other Spanish explorers later found gold and silver in Mexico and Peru. The treasure was sent back to Spain in ships sailing in the Gulf Stream. Some Spanish settlements needed to be built in Florida to protect the Spanish Treasure fleets. King Phillip II of Spain sent Pedro Menendez to settle in Florida and drive out French garrisons recently established there. In September 1565, Pedro Menendez with 700 soldiers and colonists, landed here and founded St. Augustine, making it the oldest continually occupied European settlement in North America.
History, plus 43 miles of white sand beaches bring over three
million visitors a year to St. Augustine and St. Johns County.
Our 11th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightner_Museum
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Flagler
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Monica_Hotel
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
Back in Time! - historic-schooner in the harbor
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - July 3rd, 2025
Matanzas River - Bridge of Lions - ocean inlet
Independence Day Week 2025 - Ancient City
Saint Augustine Marina - Medici Lion Statues
*[left double-click for a closer-look - scenic harbor cruise]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightner_Museum
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Flagler
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Monica_Hotel
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
Fort Castillo de San Marcos - circa 1672
Saint Augustine, Florida - 7/3/23 - Summer
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - SW star-point-corner]
Construction on the fortress was from 1672-1695. The native
coquina (soft shell) stone was quarried from a local island.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/castillodesanmarcos1.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
History of Saint Augustine: Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513. (Christopher Columbus discovered North America in 1492 but actually landed in the Bahamas). Other Spanish explorers later found gold and silver in Mexico and Peru. The treasure was sent back to Spain in ships sailing in the Gulf Stream. Spanish settlements needed to be built in Florida to protect the Spanish Treasure fleets. King Phillip II of Spain sent Pedro Menendez to settle in Florida and drive out French garrisons recently established there. In September 1565, Pedro Menendez with 700 soldiers and colonists, landed here and founded St. Augustine, making it the oldest continually occupied European settlement in North America.
History, plus 43 miles of white sand beaches bring over three
million visitors a year to St. Augustine and St. Johns County.
SUNSET - Bridge of Lions - 1924 - St. Augustine, FL USA
Saint Augustine Harbor - Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513
Fourth of July Bridge Celebration 2024 - July 4th, 2024
----------Independence Day 2024----------U.S.A.!
Twin Medici Lions guard the harbor at the bridge's entrance.
Amazingly, they were made in Florence, Italy from the same
marble quarry used to sculpt the Statue of David - circa 1924
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Saint Augustine, Florida]
*[twin-statues entrance - harbor - blue-hour - warm river-sunset]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in the city of St. Augustine, Florida, the fort was designed by the Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza.
Construction began in 1672, 107 years after the city's founding by Spanish Admiral and conquistador Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, when Florida was part of the Spanish Empire. The fort's construction was ordered by Governor Francisco de la Guerra y de la Vega after the destructive raid by the English privateer Robert Searles in 1668. Work proceeded under the administration of Guerra's successor, Manuel de Cendoya in 1671,[6] and the first coquina stones were laid in 1672. The construction of the core of the current fortress was completed in 1695, though it would undergo many alterations and renovations over the centuries.
When Britain gained control of Florida in 1763 pursuant to the Treaty of Paris, St. Augustine became the capital of British East Florida, and the fort was renamed Fort St. Mark[ until the Peace of Paris (1783) when Florida was transferred back to Spain. In 1819 Spain signed the Adams–OnÃs Treaty which ceded Florida to the United States in 1821; consequently the fort was designated a United States Army base and renamed Fort Marion, in honor of American Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion. The fort was declared a National Monument in 1924, and after 251 years of continuous military possession, was deactivated in 1933. The 20.48-acre (8.29 ha) site was subsequently turned over to the United States National Park Service. In 1942 the original name Castillo de San Marcos, was restored by an Act of Congress.
Castillo de San Marcos was twice besieged: first by English colonial forces led by Carolina Colony Governor James Moore in 1702, and then by Georgia colonial Governor James Oglethorpe in 1740. Possession of the fort has changed six times, all peaceful, amongst four different governments: the Spanish Empire, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America (Spain and the United States having possession two times each).
Under United States control the fort was used as a military prison to incarcerate members of Native American tribes starting with the Seminole—including the famous war chief, Osceola, in the Second Seminole War—and members of western tribes, including Geronimo's band of Chiricahua Apache. The Native American art form known as Ledger Art had its origins at the fort during the imprisonment of members of the Plains tribes such as Howling Wolf of the southern Cheyenne.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
Saint Augustine Lighthouse - circa 1874 - 11AM
St. Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - July 4th, 2025
Under the Canopy & Light Keeper's Home
4th of July Celebration - Anastasia Island
-------------Independence Day 2025-----------------
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - trees grown around it]
*[amazingly-dense tree-canopy - rises through the canopy!]
St. Augustine Lighthouse is located on the north end of Anastasia Island in Saint Augustine, Florida. Built in 1874 of brick, the Saint Augustine Lighthouse is 163 feet high making it the eighth tallest lighthouse in the United States today. Saint Augustine Lighthouse is run by the non-profit St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Inc. and is open to the public and visitors can climb the 219 steps to the top for great views from this fun tourist attraction in Northeast Florida.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North America. As such it is an excellent example of the "bastion system" of fortification.
4th of July - from Bridge of Lions - St. Augustine, FL USA
Saint Augustine Harbor - Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513
Fourth of July Bridge Celebration 2024 - July 4th, 2024
----------Independence Day 2024----------U.S.A.!
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Saint Augustine Harbor]
*[waiting - anticipation - fireworks barge - START the Fireworks!]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
Scanned from Fuji Superia 100
(expired Jun-2002)
St Augustine, FL
Oct 2018
Follow on Instagram @dpsager
Passion for the Blues - Motown - Delta Blues - Detroit Blues - Gospel
Local Singing Star - America! - U.S.A.! - Patriotic Concert
Focus on America - Focus on the Flag - Focus on Freedom
Patriotic - Local Star! - action vertical - flags - dedication
July 4th Concert - Freedom Trio - 2025 - Wonderful Concert!
Patriotic Singer - Two-Hour - Independence Day Serenade
Proud to Be an American - July 4th, 2025 - City Town Square
----------Independence Day 2025----------Born in the U.S.A.!-------
The trio have all been singing in Saint Augustine's lovely city-center
square for 30 years with a full orchestra behind them: The All-Star Orchestra. Everyone loves these singers for their loyal gift to our country through song, and they do a fantastic job with their ever-amazing upbeat enthusiasm as you will see in the pictures that I post of them here. Go check them out if you get a chance, you
know when and where they'll be! God Bless the U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Full Patriotic City-Concert]
*[City Town Center Square - Gazebo Stage - Large Orchestra]
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2025
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2025 - July 4th, 2025
Our 12th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
Summer SUNRISE ~ Independence Day Week
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/6/19
*I am surprised nobody asked.
At Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL
A shot from the archives... I just got back from LA this morning and headed straight to work and am still trying to wake up... hope to have something new by tomorrow.
Two couples were still enjoying the evening and didn't seem to be too bothered by the huge clouds.
*This is in reference to one of my previous "not-really-a-sunset" shots. Pretty much every time people see me hanging out with a camera around sunset I get asked "Will we have a sunset tonight" and I am sitting there thinking "I am sure there WILL be a sunset, I am just not sure yet if we gonna SEE it."
View this "not-a-sunset" shot large on black.
She goes by the name of "That Blonde Lady" on Facebook. She is
a fantastic singer that sings all the Patriotic Anthems. She does a great job leading the proceedings each year on the Fourth of July with her two co-singers. They all have been doing it here in Saint Augustine's center square for 30 years with a full orchestra behind them. Everyone loves them for their loyal gift to our country through song, and they do a fantastic job with their ever-amazing upbeat enthusiasm as you will see in the pictures that I post of them here. Go check them out if you get a chance, you know when and where they'll be! God Bless the U.S.A.! Thanks, "Blonde Lady!" Awesome!
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2022
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2022 - July 4th, 2022
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - just before sunset]
Our 9th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States; it is located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in the city of St. Augustine, Florida. The Castillo was designed by the Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza, with construction beginning in 1672, 107 years after the city's founding by Spanish Admiral and conquistador Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, when Florida was part of the Spanish Empire.
wikipedia
"The third Battle of St. Augustine took place in
1702 during the War of the Spanish
Succession. British forces led by Gov. James
Moore of South Carolina attacked the city and
attempted to bombard the Castillo into
submission. The residents of the city fled into the fortress and for 52 days the two sides
battled. Unable to conquer the huge fort,
Moore and his forces ultimately withdrew,
burning the town to the ground as they
retreated. Following the 1702 battle, the Spanish rebuilt the city and surrounded it with strong walls and redoubts. It never fell to an enemy force again." (exploresouthernhistory)
Follow more of my adventures on Twitter , Google+, and Facebook.
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. It is located on the shore of Matanzas Bay in the city of St. Augustine, Florida. The fort was designed by the Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza and is a fine example of Spanish Colonial architecture.
The San Pablo Bastion at the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. The Castillo is the oldest masonry fort in America, with building beginning in 1672 (already a hundred years after the founding of St. Augustine!). Here you can see the sentry box (or garita) topping a ravelin protecting an entryway. The ravelin is a triangular fortification that causes invading forces to split up and makes it harder to batter an entry into the wall.
Hundreds of years have gone by, but this beautiful, old fort remains a testament to the beginning of the United States. Though there have been arguments over which city is the oldest, the general consensus is that St. Augustine was the nation's first established city, and this place has been a hotbed ever since, as both the Spanish and the English fought over who would claim it.
Twice a year, the city holds an event locals know as the Lighting of St. Augustine, though I believe it's now called the Illumination. Held in June and January, each ceremony features a parade in full historic costumes, with everything from bagpipes to fife and drums, and ends with the firing of a musket at the governor's mansion, and a proclamation in either English or Spanish. The parade marchers carry torches through the streets, from the original city gates to the governor's house. It is quite exciting to see, and you really get a sense of history. It's like stepping back in time for a while, walking along the cobblestones. Many of the marchers belong to historic re-enactment groups that actually camp in authentic tents. Their clothing is about as true to period as you can get, too. It's quite a sight to see if you're ever in this area during those times.
Here, the southeastern watchtower is in view, looking over the Matanzas River. A tiny fort, Fort Matanzas, is south of here, and would alert the main fort when they saw ships entering the area. The soldiers would prepare for battle to defend the city.
The walls of the fort are made of coquina stone, which is compressed shells. When the canon balls from the ships hit the walls, they would either bounce off, or embed in the wall of the fort, and didn't do any major damage. Some are still in there!
Inside the fort, you can get a feel for what life there was like. You can still see the bunks the soldiers slept in, and some of the canons and cannonballs that remain. The walls of the fort are something like 12 feet thick. Along the top, there are wide walkways, where the soldiers could get to their posts to shoot, and the watchtowers had holes in which they could shoot through, as well. Canons are still lined up on those walls, and they fire them up occasionally for tourists! I have a video below. This was taken along the top wall of the fort. Just click on the pic to watch the video!
SUNRISE - Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - EARLY Tuesday
Vilano Beach - Atlantic Ocean - First Light - July 4th, 2023
Choppy Sea - Sunrise drama at the Inlet - Summer 2023
4th of July Holiday - Northern Florida - Treasure Coast
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - inlet jetty - dramatic up light]
*[Atlantic Ocean - warm-morning-light - active ocean-inlet]
*[Start of the Day - Gorgeous Day! - Independance Day!]
Focus on the Flag - Focus on Freedom - Smiling Singers!
Local Singing Stars - America! - U.S.A.! - Patriotic Concert
July 4th Concert - Freedom Trio - 2025 - Wonderful Concert!
Cheryl Choate-Bowen(R) - Pro Singer - from Jacksonville, FL
Patriotic Singer - Two-Hour - Independence Day Serenade
Proud to Be an American - July 4th, 2025 - City Town Square
----------Independence Day 2025----------Born in the U.S.A.!-------
She goes by the name of "That Blonde" on Facebook. She is truly
a fantastic singer that sings all the Patriotic Anthems. She does a great job leading the proceedings each year on the Fourth of July with her two co-singers. They all have been doing it here in Saint Augustine's center square for 30 years with a full orchestra behind them: The All-Star Orchestra. Everyone loves them for their loyal gift to our country through song, and they do a fantastic job with their ever-amazing upbeat enthusiasm as you will see in the pictures that I post of them here. Go check them out if you get a chance, you know when and where they'll be! God Bless the U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
*[BRAVO! Another Brilliant Performance! Thanks, MC Cheryl!]
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Full Patriotic City-Concert]
*[City Town Center Square - Gazebo Stage - Large Orchestra]
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2025
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2025 - July 4th, 2025
Our 12th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
She goes by the name of "That Blonde Lady" on Facebook. She is
a fantastic singer that sings all the Patriotic Anthems. She does a great job leading the proceedings each year on the Fourth of July with her two co-singers. They all have been doing it here in Saint Augustine's center square for 30 years with a full orchestra behind them. Everyone loves them for their loyal gift to our country through song, and they do a fantastic job with their ever-amazing upbeat enthusiasm as you will see in the pictures that I post of them here. Go check them out if you get a chance, you know when and where they'll be! God Bless the U.S.A.! Thanks, "Blonde Lady!" Awesome!
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2022
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2022 - July 4th, 2022
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Everybody Loves Her!]
Our 9th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
SUNRISE - Public Beach - Atlantic Ocean Inlet
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - July 4th, 2024
Saint Augustine Lighthouse - Summer 2024
----------Independence Day 2024----------U.S.A.!
A few weeks before the Olympics in France - Human Interest
(a local was beautifully orchestrating a 6:30 AM photo shoot)
Vilano Beach - Atlantic Ocean - First Light - pinkish - 7/4/24
Choppy Sea - Sunrise Drama at the Inlet - Summer 2024
4th of July Holiday - Northern Florida - The Treasure Coast
*[left-click for a closer-look - a very cool beach-studio! - pelicans!]
*[Patriotic! - two models - dramatic-dawn - lights - flags - boots!]
*[inlet jetty - dramatic dawn light - jetty rocks - pools reflections]
*[Atlantic Ocean - warm-morning-light - very active ocean-inlet]
*[Start of the Day - Gorgeous Day - Independance Day 2024]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
SUNSET - Bridge of Lions - 1924 - St. Augustine, FL USA
Saint Augustine Harbor - Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513
Fourth of July Bridge Celebration 2025 - July 4th, 2025
----------Independence Day 2025----------U.S.A.!
Twin Medici Lions guard the harbor at the bridge's entrance.
Amazingly, they were made in Florence, Italy from the same
marble quarry used to sculpt the Statue of David - circa 1924
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - statue - Saint Augustine, Florida]
*[twin-statues - entrance - harbor - golden-hour - warm river-sunset]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagler_College
SUNSET - Bridge of Lions - 1924 - St. Augustine, FL USA
Saint Augustine Harbor - Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513
Fourth of July Bridge Celebration 2024 - July 4th, 2024
----------Independence Day 2024----------U.S.A.!
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Sunset City Skyline]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_County,_Florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagler_College
Group Cover Photo - Quarta Sunset Group - 11/5/24
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/5/19
*[At extreme low-tide the growing inlet sand-bar is visible.]
Summer SUNRISE ~ Independence Day Week
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/6/19
[fisherman surf-fishing in the waves at sunrise]
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - October 31st, 2021
*[left-double-click for a closer look]
Construction on the fortress was from 1672-1695. The native
coquina (soft shell) stone was quarried from a local island.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/castillodesanmarcos1.html
History of Saint Augustine: Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513. (Christopher Columbus discovered North America in 1492 but actually landed in the Bahamas). Other Spanish explorers later found gold and silver in Mexico and Peru. The treasure was sent back to Spain in ships sailing in the Gulf Stream. Spanish settlements needed to be built in Florida to protect the Spanish Treasure fleets. King Phillip II of Spain sent Pedro Menendez to settle in Florida and drive out French garrisons recently established there. In September 1565, Pedro Menendez with 700 soldiers and colonists, landed here and founded St. Augustine, making it the oldest continually occupied European settlement in North America.
Menendez successfully destroyed the French Fort Caroline at the mouth of the Saint John's River 40 miles north of St. Augustine and ended the French incursion into Florida.
St. Augustine settlers, isolated and often near starvation, lived in constant fear of attacks by pirates who roamed the coast. Diminishing supplies and increasing hostility of the Indians made life treacherous for the early settlers.
Englishman Francis Drake burned the village and wooden fort to the ground in 1586. The town was sacked again in 1668 by pirate John Davis.
Spain's Queen Regent Mariana realized that St.Augustine was the keystone in the defense of the Florida coast, so she ordered the construction of a new fort made of stone. In 1672, the Castillo de San Marcos was begun and took 23 years to complete. Originally the fort was covered with white plaster, some of which can be seen today. The towers in the four corners were plastered red.
The fort was built of coquina, a locally quarried soft shellrock. Coquina was easily shaped by artisans and did not become brittle and crumble under cannon fire. The fort, the city gate, and many homes in St. Augustine were made of coquina which is still evident today.
In 1702, seven years after its completion, English troops from South Carolina besieged the Castillo for fifty days. Fiffteen hundred Spanish citizens fled into the security of the fort and refused to surrender. The British finally gave up the siege and burned the town. This event is why there are no buildings older than 1702 in St. Augustine today.
The Spaniards rebuilt their settlement and erected a defensive earthwork on on its northern limit, fortified the walls around the city and strengthened the walls of the Castillo.
The English attacked again in 1740, this time by General James Oglethorpe of Georgia. He bombarded the Castillo and town for twenty-seven days before he also gave up and left. The coquina walls held firm, absorbing the cannon balls without breaking apart.
England defeated Spain in the Seven Years War, and Florida was transferred to English control by the Treaty of Paris in 1763. England then divided Florida into two colonies, and St. Augustine became the capital of East Florida. During the American Revolution St. Augustine remained loyal to the crown. The entire Florida peninsula was returned to Spain as part of the negotiations ending the American Revolution in 1783.
They came back to an impossible situation. The border problems of earlier times were multiplied as runaway slaves from Georgia found welcome among the Seminole Indians, and ruffians from both land and sea made Florida their habitat.
Spain ruled for another 37 years known as the Second Spanish Period 1784-1821. During this time, the Spaniards had difficulty luring settlers from the mother country and other colonies to repopulate this area.
On July 10th, 1821, the Americans took over from the Spanish. In the1830's, hostilities rose between Seminole Indians and the Federal Government. In October 1837 one hundred Seminole Indians, including Osceola, were captured under a white flag of truce just south of St. Augustine. The end of the Seminole War made Florida safe again for visitors who came to take advantage of the fine climate. In 1845 Florida became the 27th state of the Union.
From 1875 to1887, Indians from the Great Plains and the Southwest were exiled to Florida and imprisoned in the fort. The government sought to educate the Indians and allowed them some freedom of movement. These activities led to more progressive Federal Indian policies.
During the winter of 1883-84 Henry M. Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil Co., visited the city and was impressed with the charm and possibilities of the area. He later made a major impact on the architecture and economy of this historic city by building the Hotel Ponce de Leon, Hotel Alcazar, the Memorial church and more.
History, plus 43 miles of white sand beaches bring over three
million visitors a year to St. Augustine and St. Johns County.
(1565-1763 ~ 1st Spanish) - (1763-1784 ~ British Period)
(1784-1821 ~ 2nd Spanish) - (1821-Present ~ American)
TWILIGHT - from Bridge of Lions - St. Augustine, FL USA
Saint Augustine Harbor - Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513
Fourth of July Bridge Celebration 2024 - July 4th, 2024
----------Independence Day 2024----------U.S.A.!-----U.S.A.!------
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - moored yacht - water colors]
*[Busy Shoreline - Sunset City Skyline - Western Sky Windows!]
*[waiting - anticipation - fireworks barge - START the Fireworks!]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
Fort Castillo de San Marcos - Masonry Fortress
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2024 - 7/4/24
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2024 - July 4th, 2024
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabal_palmetto
The sabal palmetto (also known as cabbage palm),
is the state tree of both South Carolina and Florida.
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - NE+NW star-point-corners]
*[those are seagulls and grackles 'resting' on the taller tower]
Construction on the fortress was from 1672-1695. The native
coquina (soft shell) stone was quarried from a local island.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/castillodesanmarcos1.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
History of Saint Augustine: Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513. (Christopher Columbus discovered North America in 1492 but actually landed in the Bahamas.) Other Spanish explorers later found gold and silver in Mexico and Peru. The treasure was sent back to Spain in ships sailing in the Gulf Stream. Some Spanish settlements needed to be built in Florida to protect the Spanish Treasure fleets. King Phillip II of Spain sent Pedro Menendez to settle in Florida and drive out French garrisons recently established there. In September 1565, Pedro Menendez with 700 soldiers and colonists, landed here and founded St. Augustine, making it the oldest continually occupied European settlement in North America.
History, plus 43 miles of white sand beaches bring over three
million visitors a year to St. Augustine and St. Johns County.
Our 11th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightner_Museum
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Flagler
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Monica_Hotel
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
Summer SUNRISE ~ Independence Day Week
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/6/19
*[fisherman surf-fishing in the waves at sunrise]
Summer SUNRISE ~ Independence Day Week
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/6/19
Fort Castillo de San Marcos - Masonry Fortress
Oldest U.S. City - 1513 - Summer 2024 - 7/4/24
St. Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - NE Florida
Independence Day 2024 - July 4th, 2024
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabal_palmetto
The sabal palmetto (also known as cabbage palm),
is the state tree of both South Carolina and Florida.
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - SW Tower - SW Corner]
*[each of the four towers were once painted bright red, long
gone with the centuries of beach 'sandblasting' salt, wind &
pelting rain. Although, some of the original 'red paint' is still
visible (here) tucked into the 'furthest corner' away from the
beach onshore winds. The walls were once plastered white]
Construction on the fortress was from 1672-1695. The native
coquina (soft shell) stone was quarried from a local island.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/castillodesanmarcos1.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
History of St. Augustine: Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513. (Christopher Columbus discovered North America in 1492 but actually landed in the Bahamas.) Other Spanish explorers later found gold and silver in Mexico and Peru. The treasure was sent back to Spain in ships sailing in the Gulf Stream. Some Spanish settlements needed to be built in Florida to protect the Spanish Treasure fleets. King Phillip II of Spain sent Pedro Menendez to settle in Florida and drive out French garrisons recently established there. In September 1565, Pedro Menendez with 700 soldiers and colonists, landed here and founded St. Augustine, making it the oldest continually occupied European settlement in North America.
History, plus 43 miles of white sand beaches bring over three
million visitors a year to St. Augustine and St. Johns County.
Our 11th-consecutive-year visiting this magnificent city on the
4th of July. A great city with so much Florida and U.S. History!
You really should visit. Well worth the trip. Thanks for looking.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightner_Museum
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Flagler
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Monica_Hotel
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
Empty - Spanish Street - Late - Night Photography
Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A. - July 4th, 2024
Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513 - 11:19 PM - quiet
------Fourth of July Celebration 2024-------U.S.A.!
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - city back-ally]
*[very slight curve - narrow side-streets - pretty dimly lit]
*{notice slight-bend in the street - if a cannonball was shot
down the street it 'wouldn't make it' into the center of town]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
SUNRISE ~ Independence Day Week
Vilano Beach ~ Saint Augustine, Florida U.S.A.
Northern Florida ~ Summer 2019 ~ 7/5/19
*[A group heads-out early to fish; at sun-up.]
SUNSET - Bridge of Lions - 1924 - St. Augustine, FL USA
Saint Augustine Harbor - Oldest City in the U.S.A. - 1513
Fourth of July Bridge Celebration 2024 - July 4th, 2024
----------Independence Day 2024----------U.S.A.!
*[left-double-click for a closer-look - Sunset City Skyline]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Lions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanzas_River
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine_Light
factoidz.com/beautiful-lighthouses-in-florida-are-great-t...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._augustine_florida
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos