You only turn 450 once! In 2015, St. Augustine, FL, celebrated its 450th anniversary. Find out why the oldest continuously occupied European city in the US is worth visiting now. 

In September 2015, St. Augustine, FL, celebrated its 450th anniversary with a five-day festival that featured national recording artists, historic reenactments, visits by Catholic Archbishops from the U.S. and Cuba, fireworks, and street festivals. The city, located on the northeast coast of Florida, is the oldest continuously occupied European city in the United States.

On September 8, 1565, 800 Spaniards gathered on the shores of a Florida salt marsh at the site of a large Native American village called Seloy.  More than 100 civilians joined soldiers and sailors, married men and women, artisans, tradesmen, and children when Captain General don Pedro Menéndez deAvilés stepped ashore from his longboat. Kneeling and kissing the cross carried by Father Lopez, Menéndez and his officers swore allegiance to God and King and proclaimed this place as “St. Augustine.”

That day marked the beginning of 450 years of a diverse collection of people living, working, and raising families in the Nation’s oldest city.

Click here to read more about my visit to St. Augustine.

You only turn 450 years old once, so St. Augustine celebrated big.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information on events, activities, holiday getaways, and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.