Here are some of author/historian Buff Gordon's "thoughts about colonial St. Augustine and civic identity" in her remarks to a 2005 session of our Historical Society:

 

     Architectural activities tell a story, not just about materials, sizes, and shapes, but about humanity and culture. In the absence of the colonial churches, the monastery, and the bishop's house, we forget in our more secular age that the builders of colonial St. Augustine lived in their religion. It was a time far removed from today.
     Look at the cathedral with a different eye. In its walls are the very stones of earlier churches. Its proportional system, like that of the Plaza, was inherited from an ancient canon of measure that had spiritual meaning.
     Flagler's 19th century hotels embody similar Renaissance values of symmetry and geometric harmonies that structured the colonial town. They provide a continuum, a sense of connection and continuity with the 16th century town.
     The colonial St. Augustine style house is America's first original vernacular style of architecture. It responded to the ordinances, to the site, the climate, the coquina, horrific events, and its multi-cultured builders. It was not a rerun, not a revival.
     Elements of the popular "New Urbanism" ideal sweeping the country began here. Long before the Miami architect, Andres Duany, introduced "New Urbanism," there was St. Augustine.
     The Town Plan is the most distinctive colonial feature and oldest remnant of this Spanish town.
     There is magic in St. Augustine's architectural heritage if we can see it through the eyes and times of those who laid out this city. There will be magic in the eyes of tourists, visitors, residents and future magazine and newspaper writers if we can convey to them the awesome breadth and depth of the city's 16th century colonial architectural prologue.