Secret St. Augustine: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

by Elizabeth Randall, William Randall

It is no wonder the ancient city of St. Augustine is steeped in secrets. St. Johns, the oldest continuously occupied county in America celebrated its 450th birthday on September 4, 2015. More like a European enclave than an urban landscape, it is a place of cannon fire, street parties, historical reenactments, concerts, and more. From admiring replicas of fine art at Ripley’s Believe or Not, to hunting haunts in restaurants and museums, to eating ice cream from a recipe originated by World War II bombardiers, St. Augustine has it all from beaches, gourmet dining, festivals, and attractions. A young and vibrant business community coexists with a rich history from the Spanish conquistadors, the British aristocracy, antebellum Americans, and Civil Rights leaders. There are stories behind the forts, old Spanish houses, a slave market, civil rights landmarks, museums, hotels, art galleries, a college that was once a luxury hotel, and more. These places all have secrets to tell and, since it’s St. Augustine, one or two ghost stories as well.

Once you come to St. Augustine, you keep coming back. St. Augustine is one place, despite its status as the oldest city, whose secrets never get old.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2024

About the author

I am a widely published free lance writer, the author of four books and a high school English teacher.

Reviews

[Silas Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers an engaging snapshot of St. Augustine's rich and layered history, weaving together its colonial roots, cultural highlights, and modern day charm. The descriptions of historical landmarks, ghost stories, and quirky local details (like WWII era ice cream recipes) are enjoyable and informative. Readers interested in history, travel, or Florida lore will find much to appreciate.

However, the book sometimes reads more like a tourist brochure than a deep historical dive. While it's packed with fascinating facts, it lacks a strong narrative thread or critical exploration of the city’s more complex past. Still, it succeeds in sparking curiosity and could be a great companion for first time visitors or casual readers looking to learn more about America’s oldest city.