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.
2 Comments
Kaley
9/13/2014 01:06:13 am
Cool article!
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Sue Campbell
9/13/2014 03:32:28 am
Fascinating history!!
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