Brief History

Spanish Juan Ponce de Leon landed here back in April 3, 1513 but the city was founded first in 1565 by the Spanish explorer Mr Pedro Menéndez the Avilés. This happened in the Holy Saint Augustine feast day which falls on 8th September.

The area ravaged by pirates in 1600 – and 1700’s and when the British began to show interest in Florida as the Spanish built the fortress Castillo de San Marcos (1672). During 1700 – and 1800-ball century was between Spanish Florida and American ownership.

This was the first successful Spanish attempt to establish a foothold in la Florida, and is now the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement, as well as the oldest port city, in what is now the continental United States of America.

Rail King Henry Flagler came to St. Augustine in the 1880’s. He was very fond of the city and he decided to build the first major resort here. Luxury hotel was named Hotel Ponce de Leon. Presently, these big and beautiful buildings, the very famous “The Flagler College”.