The City Gate is one of our most iconic historic landmarks. The northern entrance to St. Augustine has been protected by a gate since 1704, although the coquina sentries we know and love weren’t constructed until 1808. In addition to protecting the city, the gate also marked the end (or the beginning…depending on which direction you were heading) of the eastern branch of the Comino Real, which connected Spanish colonies in the hinterland with Mexico City.
Or Hawthorne, Florida. One of the two. It’s possible that you’re actually passing through the gateway of the Baden-Powell Scout Reservation - a replica of St. Augustine's old City Gate. The nearly 900 acre reserve is home to Camp Shands. The Reservation was purchased by the North Florida Council in 1964, but the gate wasn’t constructed until three years later - which coincided with the opening of Camp Shands. This was around the time when St. Augustine was celebrating its 400th Anniversary.
While the gate itself is a reminder of Spanish colonial times, the drive out to the Baden-Powell Reserve reminds one of Old Florida. The two lane road snakes between pastureland and pine forests, under the moss-decked limbs of live oak trees, and even offers a “vista” view of some of the lakes that dot Putnam County. The landscape is as much a treasure as the replica of the gate, and both are worth taking the time for the next time you are driving west out of St. Augustine. You won’t regret it - scout’s honor.
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Maybe the similarity is just my imagination, or maybe the multi-storied arcade surrounding the pool was simply a popular design at the time. However, I’m inclined to believe this is more than just a coincidence…it certainly makes a more interesting blog piece if you believe that. The Alcazar Hotel was Henry Flagler’s second Gilded Age resort in St. Augustine. Built by the NYC firm of Carrere and Hastings, it opened for business the winter of 1888. Whereas Flagler’s Hotel Ponce de Leon right across the street served as the apogee of glitz and luxury, the Alcazar would shine for its recreational amenities. Reduced glamour also meant a reduced price for guests. The hotel boasted Turkish (steam) baths, a "Russian Plunge" (steam followed by an icy dip…no thanks), gymnasium, bowling, tennis courts, ballroom, massage parlor, and an indoor swimming pool in the back section known as the Casino (guests of the Ponce had access to the Casino as well). The pool was 120 feet long and 50 feet wide, reaching a depth of 12 feet at its deepest point, and covered by a glass roof. It was filled with sulphur water from an artesian well, which I’m sure smelled lovely. The pool was floored over in 1947, and today you can dine in the Café Alcazar, where those old Victorians once swam. With all the Alcazar had to offer, it makes sense that it would serve as a source of inspiration for a contemporary spa. And the Neiman Marcus Greenhouse certainly continued the tradition of serving high society; Dallasnews reported that guests included the likes of Grace Kelly, Cindy Crawford, Lady Bird Johnson, Barbara Bush, etc. However, not even the Greenhouse was spared when the spa industry tanked in the mid-2000’s. It was auctioned in 2010 and is now living a second life as the Greenhouse Addiction Treatment center, operated by Treatment Solutions.
What do you readers think? Do you see the similarities? Leave a comment! |
AuthorA small group dedicated to exploring the history of the Ancient City. Archives
May 2017
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