The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1892-08-18

-O.NTS or INTEREST AT SAINT
AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

y,is.c-icrI Fncts-Th- Ponce De Leon
Rct-I-O!d Fort Observation-Disclosures
OF the Quaint Old Town-Ths Social
Atmosphere.
tSt. Augustine Letter.
Every schoolbov knows that St. Ancr,c-
tine is the oldest settlement in the United
States having been established hy the
S;riniards in 1861. 1t is u Guailt old
town. and its narrow streets and an-
ci,.nt buildings. together with the cid
Spanish fort. the long sea wall, the piaza,
United States barracks and mnpy other
TEXTURES of interest make i. popular re-
sort for the fifty thousand tourists WHO
visit the State from the colder sections
Of the country during the winter season.
There is remarkable change in the
appearances os the city since my previous
visit here several years ago. While the
Older po:tion still rrtains its antiguatel
look. that part of the city recently built
up contains many handsome resi- en"es
end hotels, chief among the latter is the
magnificent Ponce de Icon. of colossal
proportions. the exterior being of Moor
ish archite, ture. in keeping with the ira
ditions of the old town. Il was built Ivy
Henry M. Fag!er. of the Standard Oil
Company, md it is said that " hen COM
rleted and furnished it had cost him
S2.0Oo.c 600.
From the lofty turrets Of this splendid
castle fine view of the Atlantic Ocean,
about a mile distant. can be had. the tur-
bnlen. waters lashing the beach while
the roar of the surf is distinctly heard.
Undoubtedly the Leading attraction
here is old Fort Marion. This fort was
built of couuina. sort Of shell-roc'r,
with which the State abounds, and is 10
oldest fortlieation in the United States.
1t was commenced in 1920 and completed
In 1856. 1t covers m acre of ground
and before its abandonment had accom-
mo.iations for one thousand men and
one hundred guns. The Indians. during
its erection, laborel ON it for over sixty
wears.
TEE CITY CATS.
To the tourists u peculiar feature OF
The city is its very narrow streets in the
older portion. While walking along one
Of these sandy thoroughfares l ~a1
obliged to press close to building to al.
low a horse and carriage TO pass. Many
residences have second-story balloon les
overl,an4ing the streets, and when such
buildings are opposite, their occupants
greet each other with q hand shake over
:i:e narrow intervening space.
There is every opportunity for ones
enjoyment here. The bay is easy of
nccrss and catching is f,vorite past
time. We hnarded little steam launch
Gnd sailed abont mile south on the
.iIantnnzas river and then landed on
AnaetaSia Island. a narrow, sandy strip
of land between the hay and ocean OPP
'M,sitr the CITY. a short walk across this
island brought ms to the Governmenf
lighthouse near the beach - tail brict
with broad blac', and whito
stripes circlinG it in a serpcntine course
after the fashion of a huge birber-poe.
standing like n gigantic sentinel to warE
the mariner off the dangerous coast.
The impression mad, upon thc touris.
Tho visits st. Augustine for the first timo
is sure to be pleasing. if no arrives here
in the dazzling day light or the tinted
glow of the evening. The latter is
probably the better pe:io |, as the ar
iice OF sunset furnished here is grand.
it is like the sparkling sliow-windows
Of an Oriental gem hazir, in which tho
Jewels hlrni and flash amid the gay
nat-riais that form the brilliant back
round. AttT tie beautiful coiors of
he sunset have faded from the horizon,
he air wakes to Il gentle bruce. as il it
we're Touched by Thousand waving
Spanish fans. bringing the perfume of
blooming roso-trees like fragrant beno-
liction.
The social atmosphere surrounding st.
Augustine is rior. like that OF Newport
han any watering place in the South.
md as a fashionable resort it will con-
inue to increase i'll popularity and inn
oortance. FRANK CoIoUITT