History of the city of St. Augustine, Florida

View of St. Augustine from the top of the lighthouse on Anastasia Island

The city of St. Augustine in Florida is said to be the oldest and unconquered city in the United States. Don Juan Ponce de Leon first sighted the Northern mainland of America on Easter dated back in the 27^th of March year 1513. He was the one who claimed this part of America for Spain and named it “La Florida” meaning the Land of Flowers. There were several attempts of Spain to conquer the land during the year 1513 up until 1563 but all failed. Some French built a colony somewhere in St. John’s River in the year 1564 scaring away all Spaniards.

Archeologists have searched for more digs that will give them the ruins that can tell further history of St. Augustine’s city. Barely enough, they have seen some factual ruins at the Fountain of Youth where in stories tell that an Indian village called Seloy was first located marking the beginning of St. Augustine city.

Europe had their way of manipulating over the city, but like what happened to the Spanish colonizers, their attempts were all failed. An English corsair named Sir Francis Drake burnt down the town after attacking the people living in there in the year 1586. After several years later, in 1668, Captain John Davis has ambushed the town leaving 60 people in that town dead. But because of the bravery and perseverance of the people living in the town, St. Augustine has survived all of the trials that they have experienced under the Europeans.

The feast day of St. Augustine dated August 28, 1565, was the same day when Menendez have arrived off the coast of Florida. They forced in making the town named St. Augustine. Menendez was tasked by King Charles of Spain to capture Jean Alfonse who was named as one of the French corsair at that time. After killing Alfonse, the king positioned him to become the chief head in charge of the Casa de Contratacion. He further excelled in briberies of other nations and thus excelling in the many fleets that he had against the French people.

After several year later, Menendez disrespected the Casa causing him to be exiled and put into prison. Menendez was freed after 20 months where in he received an order from King Phillip to journey for Florida. This does not make a new improvement in the way they treat St. Augustine’s city.

Long after, the locals of St. Augustine were able to regain their town out from the attempts of conquering from many other colonizers like the Spaniards and Europeans. There had been many other attempts of conquering but St. Augustine, Florida did not made it very difficult in regaining their glory and defeating those attempts to stabilize their territory in their place.

The bravery and courage of the local settlers in the town made a great way to see that they could stand alone in building back their ruined town. It was their own way of protecting their selves in doing a great favor for their town.


For further information, check out this cool video about St. Agustine, Florida!