ST. AUGUSTINE TODAY

Background

With St. Augustine's rich heritage including: Spanish, English, American Indian, Greek, Italian, and Minorcan cultures. St. Augustine today is one of the most visited old cities in America. Resting along the Atlantic Ocean its relaxed style can be found in Floridian Seaside Villages.

Henry Flagler

In 1885, Henry Flagler, this New York son of a Presbyterian minister, through self-motivation and ambition led to success that began the golden era for St. Augustine and extended through 1914. He saw great potential for this old city and he immediately put his dream into action [eventually expanding south toward Palm Beach], including two lavished hotels, his masterpiece Ponce de Leon, and the beautiful Alcazar. His hotels allowed St. Augustine to grow accommodating the wealthiest of vacationers and his Florida East coast Railway linked St. Augustine to the world. Building a two-story depot to properly receive worldly guests insured their satisfaction. Flagler also build St. Augustine's foundation including the hospital, city hall, churches and the Flagler College [now part of the Ponce de Leon Hotel]; all of the above forming the nucleus of the most prestigious city. Thru the years of the 1870s to the 1880s, Flagler left a permanent mark on Florida thru his oil industry in partner with John D. Rockefeller. All good things must come to an end eventually though and Flagler died at the age of 93 in 1913. He is buried alongside his daughter, wife, and granddaughter in a mausoleum in Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Flagler College

Flagler offers a select, carefully- chosen list of majors- and excels in them. For elementary of deaf education, pre-law, business or accounting, sport management or graphic design, for instance, Flagler is an excellent choice. Regardles of your major, our strong liberal arts curriculum will help you develop the analytical, critical-thinking, and communication skills prized by employers and graduate schools. And because most professors at Flagler are not only distinguished academics but also successful industry professionals, you'll find it easy to connect to internships and prospective employers. It's all part of why Flagler is rated as one of the best colleges in the country.

With a cost that is less than half that of comparablt private colleges and on par with most large public universities, Flagler is constistently ranked as offering among the best values in the country. But that's not all! Approximately 85 percent of Flagler students receive financial aid. The majority of Flagler students graduate in four years, compared to an average of 4.8 to 5.1 years at Florida's public universities. And more than 87 percent of them begin careers or are admitted to graduate or professional programs in their fields within six months of graduation.

Flagler focuses excusively on undergraduate teaching and is small by design. There enrollment is limited to approximately 2,000 students-you will find yourself involved in everything that happens on campus. And with more than 94 percent of Flagler classes having 35 or fewer students, and a student-faculty ratio of 21-1, you will recieve all the personal attention you need to succeed.

Flagler College offers a principles-based education-there class attendance policy, there prohibition against alcohol and inner-dorm visitation, and there values provide an enviornment that encourages scholarship, good citizenship, and high ethnical standards. This is one reason why Flagler graduates not only succeed professionally, but become leaders with lives of distinction and service.

The Fountain of Youth

This legendary spring is said to restore the youth of anyone who drinks its water. The myth is that Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon was searching for the Fountain of Youth when he traveled to Florida in 1513. Tales of these healing waters date back to the time of the European Age of Exploration. The Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park was created as a tribute to the cities illustrious history. Though the fountain is not "the" Fountain, it does not stop tourists from drinking it's water. The park also exhibits native and colonial artifacts to celebrate Timucuan and Spanish heritages native to St. Augustine. Still the fountain lives on today as a metaphor for any and everything that potentially increases longevity. Also used in literature of writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne to demonstrate that positive thinking is better than any remedy that deludes Florida's journeys for mystical cures.

Entertainment

There are a number of various museums and fun filled activities for families, or just friends, to enjoy together. These activities include: Shopping, Miniature Golf, Art Gallerys, Schooner Freedom (sailboat rides), Museums, Tours , Flagler College, The Alligator Farm, and MUCH, MUCH MORE!! For the various people who enjoy the meals the most St. Augustine is full of places where you can "chow-down." They have anything and everything in St. Augustine including churches, historical structures, a Heritage Walk or you can just take a nice long walk on the beach. If you're hungry for some shopping then there are a variety of places to go. You can try: The Shell Shop, Around the World Marketplace, the Silver Feather, the Critter Corner and more! When you visit St. Augustine you're sure to need a place to stay and with all of the variety St. Augustine has to offer that will not be difficult. St. Augustine's many museums offers a wide range of educational information. These museums include: Potter's Wax Museum,Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, the Museum of Weapons & Early American History, Government House Museum, Lightner Museum, Old Florida Museum, Oldest Store Museum Inc. and more. If history is your thing then St. Augustine is your place. There's also the Spanish Quarter Village, World Golf Hall of Fame, The Ximenez-Fatio House and more!