1314 November 12, 2025 Trolley Tour
Another chilly morning but without yesterday’s wind, the sun warmed us nicely. I walked from the campground and along A1A until I found a beach access road. I wandered down to the water and stood, basking in sunlight.
On the way back, I stopped for coffee at Kookaburra’s.
We ate lunch and then went back into Saint Augustine. We took the Trolley Tour today. It was informative and it enabled us to see more than we did on foot. It was amazing to see how Henry Flagler had so many ventures and buildings here. He had hotels and administrative building for the railroad and a hospital and medical facility for his employees. He bought and developed properties. He had a vision to make the city a destination and his legacy lives on.
“Ok folks, no more on, no more off. Trolley in motion!”
We started at the Senator. This tree is more than 600 years old and the trunk has a 13-foot diameter. Legend states that if you kiss beneath the branches, your love will last forever.
We passed the Fountain of Youth and drove along Magnolia Street. This is touted as one of the most beautiful streets in America flanked by ancient live oaks, draped with Spanish moss, and forming an exquisite arch.
We drove through the center of the city learning about many of the sites we saw yesterday as we walked.
We also saw lots of stuff that we missed! The Memorial Presbyterian Church was built by Henry Flagler in memory of his daughter and later, he was buried here as well.
The tour took us through Lincolnville. This neighborhood is “rich with the history of the Black experience.” After the Civil War, freed slaves came to settle here. This was an important site for civil rights and Dr. Martin Luthrt King, Jr. spent time here.
The oldest house in Saint Augustine.
Starting on Saturday, Nights of Light begins. The city is decorating for Christmas and will be dazzled with millions of little white lights. It is apparently spectacular!
We left Saint Augustine and drove to Anastasia State Park. We walked out to the beach.
