| St. Augustine Historic Preservation |
| Going, Going, Gone A Case for Minimum Preservation of St. Augustine Heritage Sites by Gil Wilson, Founder of Dr. Bronson and Friends St. Augustine Walking Tours Letter to the Editor of St. Augustine Record published February 27, 2003 Much paper is being used to talk about the destruction of historic sites in St. augustine. More of our common heritage is being lost every year. Yet we seem to be far away from a comprehensive plan for the preservation of any sites including Fort Mose and the Ponce Golf Course. The overwhelming result will be when future generations rebuild what we have destroyed or forgotten and say that "it looked like..." Perhaps the City of St. Augustine could do a few things to help the process along: 1. Catalogue all historic sites within the boundaries of St. Augustine. 2. Prioritize all sites as to their importance and condition. 3. Enable a citizen's committee to independently raise funds for signs that would enable tourists (and residents) to understand the history of a particular site. 4. Enable a citizens' committee to engage in broader preservation efforts for threatened sites. My list for threatened St. Augustine sites includes: - Monson Inn - the destruction of this major civil rights site will not be eased with the simple addition of a few markers. - Trinity United Methodist Church - the stained glass windows on this church deserve special help from the whole St. Augustine Community. - St. Benedict School - we'll only appreciate this site when it falls over. - One room school next to Excelsior High School. - Excelsor High School - Sunnyside Hotel on King Street - hotel stood on site of Henry Flagler's land and was used by Franklin Smith before the Casa Monica was built. However this list would not be complete without mentioning sites that are gone and unmarked: - Old Spanish Cemetery - next to Old St. Augustine village this is the site of the first public hospital in the United States, Our Lady of Comfort Church, the burial site of 11 soldiers from the battle at Fort Mose, and the place where the Emancipation Proclamation was read to the newly freed slaves. - Public School #1 - Aviles Street. This site was the location of a city building in 1857 that became the first public school of the St. Johns County school system and remained as a school through 1910. -Public School # 2 - Spanish Street behind Thompson and Baker. This site was the location of the first free African-American schoolhouse that was built by the Freedmen's Bureau and staffed by Northern teachers from the American Missionary Association. This school not only graduated the first African-American students but the first native African-American teacher in St. Johns County. Nor should we forget the unmarked contributions of our own community who served their country in time of war: - 148 African-American soldiers from St. Johns County and St. Augustine that served in the Civil War including 4 who died in combat and 7 who died in service. - African-American soldiers who participated in the Philippines Insurrection. - All soldiers of the Spanish-American War from St. Augustine. Are we committed to the preservation of St. Augustine history? Only time will tell. |
| Preservation Report Card -2003 Destroyed Monson Hotel - Note that there was a promise to save and reuse the archway where Dr. King was arrested. Not Funded by the State of Florida Restoration of the Sunnyside Hotel on King Street. Tiffany Windows for Flagler College. City Archaeology Program |
| In the Clear - 2003 Expansion for Fort Mose - Great coordination between the City, County, State and Fort Mose Historical Association Window Repair at Trinity United Methodists - Boards are back off the windows at Trinity United Methodist. Thanks to community fundraising. Street Named for Dr. Haylings - It's about time this hero of the 1963-64 Civil Rights movement was recognized. County sign for Zora Thurston's House. |
| Left over 2003 Status Uncertain Don Ross - Ponce Golf Course Great effort on the City's part but it may be impossible as a government project due to the high cost. |
| Grades County Historical Committee is an awsome group of people dedicated to identifying historic sites in St. Johns County A City of St. Augustine - without the archaeology program and the Fort Mose expansion the City Commission would be a disaster. Much is entrusted. Much is expected. Little was done throughout the community. C- People of St. Augustine and St. Johns County - as always A+ Best Community ever to live in for history |
| 2004 40th Accord is hard at work but the City commission is still asleep. |