A City Under Attack: A Guide to St Augustine’s Twisted History
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About the Tour
About the Tour
St. Augustine is the oldest, continuously occupied city in the United States. On this walking tour, you’ll follow the journey of founding father Pedro Menendez de Aviles, and the many others who gave everything they had to settle this hostile land.
From the original city gates to Plaza de la Constitución in historic downtown St Augustine, I’ll show you the scars around every corner. Along the way, you’ll hear good, bad, and ugly tales about what it took to build a perfect fort, and how it was attacked many times but never taken.
St. Augustine’s history is long and its twisted tales endless – and I’ll share many of them with you. You’ll learn far more than names and dates. This is a storytelling adventure into the life and times of those who built this city.
Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:
- Take in the views of Matanzas Bay, once known as the Bay of Dancing Dolphins, and hear about the slaughter that gave it its name
- Follow St George Street to visit the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, where you’ll hear about the expectations children had to meet, and the repercussions if they failed
- Walk in the steps of the pirates that plundered and burnt the city at the St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum
- Gaze at the historic Castillo de San Marcos, the fort that took more than 23 years to build, and learn about some of its unsavory uses when it was no longer needed
- Admire the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine and hear about the struggle to keep Catholicism alive in a city everyone wanted to plunder
- See some of the amazing former hotels – like the Casa Monica, Alcazar, and Ponce de Leon Hotels – that were built to realize Henry Flagler’s dreams of an American Riviera in Florida
- Find out how St Augustine was at the center of the protests led by Dr Martin Luther King Jr., which resulted in the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Whether it’s your first time in St Augustine or you’re a curious local, by the end of this two-hour tour you’ll have a greater appreciation for the city, its rich cultural heritage, and lesser-known stories.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Trips With Hippie
Hello everyone,
My name is John but everyone calls me Hippie and it is my pleasure to share my favorite tours with you. I have been offering tours for the past 18 years. I am blessed to be a tour guide, that travels around the world offering tours. I specialize in paranormal investigation and ghost history. In my favorite locations, I stop to give awesome history tours.
In the winter I live in St. Augustine, Florida. During the summer I live in the mountains of Colorado. Between my winter and summer bases, I am touring locations in the UK, Greece, Spain, Africa, and South America.
I offer a wide range of twisted history tours with different themes. During my stays in Florida and Colorado, I am frequently known to be on road trips to the surrounding States and offer tours in my favorite locations. It's my passion to reveal and share the twisted history of each unique location I visit.
Twisted history for me is following the stories, of locals and historical figures, to find the unsavory facts, rumors, and odd details of the times. We all learn about the rich people's financial impact on small towns, cities, States, and the entire country. But do we hear about the dirty deeds and shady deals they crafted to be that "rich guy"? Do we hear of the tricks played to cause others to fail? Do we hear about the lady who lost her child only to become one of the most famous hauntings in town? Now you can. I craft all my tours to include surface stories while weaving a tale that lies below the surface.
With a desire to share my tours and these stories with more visitors. I have decided to produce quality and detailed audio tours and take my passion to the world. My tours are created for those who desire a refreshing, and somewhat twisted, adventure into history.
With my audio tours, we will tackle the subjects of general history, Civil Rights history, paranormal history (Ghost Tours), Native American history, and more. Some will be specialized to the subject and others will be more all-inclusive.
I hope you enjoy your adventures with me and if you are headed to a location, in the future, look for one of my audio tours. Thank you for your time and thank you for your interest in twisted history.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 46
The largest collection of Tiffany Stained Glass I
Flagler built two hotels in St. Augustine starting in 1885, the Ponce de Leon and the Alcazar. After he built ... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Villa Zorayda Museum
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Plaza de la Constitución
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Constitution Monument - 1812
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The Red Door
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Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum
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St George st
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Peña-Peck House - Woman's Exchange
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Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
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Father Pedro Camps Memorial Monument
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St George South
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The Treasury on the Plaza
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Ponce De Leon Hall
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Old City Gates
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Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
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St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
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Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
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Huguenot Cemetery
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Potter's Wax Museum
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Tolomato Cemetery
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Casa Monica Resort & Spa
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Casa de Suenos Bed and Breakfast
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St. Photios Shrine Greek Orthodox National Shrine
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Hispanic Garden
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Monson Motor Lodge Pool - Civil Rights Monument
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Juan Ponce de Leon Memorial
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Historic Public Market
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start location2 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
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Total distance3km
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Final location9 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
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Distance back to start location632.62m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at the City Gates located at the very north end of St. George Street. If, like most visitors, you parked at the Visitors Center parking garage, you have probably seen the City Gates.
They are two large Coquina Pillars with a wooden wall leading from both sides. When you arrive at the City Gates please stand outside the gates and slightly away from the main city. You will be looking straight down St. George Street (the main street and most popular street in St. Augustine)
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Along your tour path, you will see many great choices of restaurants and cafes. I will not attempt to give any broad-reaching referrals but I can tell you that the locals are friendly. You can feel comfortable stopping into any shop and asking their opinions as a local. Locals are always open and willing to help provide you with the best we offer. Asking a local is also a great way to find the hidden spots. We all know, that hidden places are the best places to have outstanding food.
Okay, I'll share my favorite place: The Floridian at #72 Spanish Street. Yum, yum, yum! Everyone in the family will be happy,
Best time of day
This tour can be taken any time but is best during the daylight hours. This will give you the best chance to go inside some of the locations we visit. It will also be a great time to take photos of our wonderful city.
Precautions
St. Augustine is one of the safest cities in Florida. Like any strange location, you should always be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Traffic is the biggest safety issue because of the many visitors. They tend to be looking at the sights and may not always pay attention to pedestrians. Always use the sidewalks, where available, and use extra caution when crossing streets.
Florida likes to change the weather every ten minutes. Please be ready for the weather. Look online for the weather forecast, before you go. Bring sunscreen, a light jacket, rain gear, and plenty of water to stay hydrated during your walk. The best thing you can do is wear a good pair of walking shoes. Your feet will thank you later.
Be sure you have a good charge on your phone before you go. This will ensure you can complete the tour without delay.
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