About St. Augustine, FL - Oldest City In America
America's oldest city, oldest non-Indigenous settlement and oldest settlement of European origin
St. Augustine, located in northeastern Florida, is considered as America's oldest city, oldest non-Indigenous settlement and oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin. Before European contact, the area was inhabited by the Timucua people.
On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 Spanish settlers founded the city of St. Augustine in Spanish La Florida and named it after Saint Augustine of Hippo. The city was established 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown (1607) and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock (1620).
The settlement was established as a strategic military outpost to protect Spanish interests in the New World. St. Augustine served as the capital of Spanish Florida and faced numerous attacks and conflicts, including skirmishes with the British and Native American tribes.
In 1763, Florida was ceded to Britain, but St. Augustine remained a key military and supply base. The city was returned to Spain in 1783 after the American Revolutionary War. In 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States. St. Augustine continued to grow, becoming a popular tourist destination and known for its historical architecture.
The site of the first Catholic Mass in North America was celebrated in St. Augustine, Florida on September 8, 1565, led by Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales when Spanish Admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the city.
On that same date, September 8th, 1565, the first Thanksgiving, America's oldest holiday, took place. The celebrant of the Mass was St. Augustine’s first pastor, Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, and the feast day in the church calendar was that of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1821, the United States acquired Florida from Spain, and St. Augustine became part of the new territory. The city played a role in the history of the Civil War, with Union forces capturing it in 1862.
St. Augustine ranks number one in the United States as the city with the most historical homes – 11,231 registered homes per capita, to be exact. A massive 22% of all homes in St. Augustine are historical.
Some notable landmarks in St. Augustine to visit are the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest wooden schoolhouse, the Flagler College (former Hotel Ponce de Leon), America's oldest town square Plaza de la Constitución, the Cathedral Basilica and Fort Mose Historic State Park.
Today, St. Augustine is known for its historic architecture, Spanish colonial heritage, and as a vibrant tourist destination, attracting visitors to its historic sites, museums, ghost tours and beaches.
St. Augustine also offers ghastly host tours and cultural festivals. America's oldest city has a long and varied history making it a fascinating destination for those interested in early American history and colonial heritage. The city reflects a mix of Spanish, Native American, and African cultures. It played a significant role in the history of the region, including interactions with various Native American tribes.