Carriage ordinance tweaking begins

   Adjustments to the horse carriage ordinance approved by the City Commission in April go before the commission Monday, including proposals to extend the franchise period, allow franchise transfers, and delete a "no-tour" period from 4:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays.

   In addition to these proposed ordinances to be considered by commissioners for advancement to public hearing, City Manager John Regan will present for discussion a proposed alternate route for horse carriages, reversing the current route.

   Also on the agenda for the regular meeting, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Alcazar Room at City Hall:  a PowerPoint update by University of Florida Vice President Ed Poppell on the partnership agreement with the city, recognition of two city employees' lifesaving  actions, and proclamations designating May as Older American, Historic Preservation, and Drug Court Month.

Map courtesy of St. Augustine Sightseeing Map & Guide

   Artist Dean Quigley renders the Castillo in its heyday, plastered white with red battlements and towers, in a cover for SA Entertainer, a new monthly publication of events in St. Augustine - available locally both inserted with Jacksonville's EU and separately.

   The Spanish plastered the soft coquina walls to protect them from the elements, using the white and red colors of the First Spanish Period. Traces of the plastering are still noticeable on the Castillo walls.

   The maiden issue of SA Entertainer - some may recall the name from a similar publication years ago - features stories and programs for the upcoming Spanish Grand Muster May 14 and Drake's Raid reenactment June 4, as well as articles on the city's ambiance and the Fountain of Youth. 

450 - Signs of life in community

Holmes Ammidown saves the Plaza

   He is mentioned in Max Bloomfield's Illustrated Historical Guide in 1884:

   "What would St. Augustine be without its Plaza? Thanks to Holmes Ammidown, Esq., it is now an object of pride. Previous to his good work, it was the resort of stray horses and cattle."

   In the Memorial of Holmes Ammidown, Clark Jillson describes him further:

   "I quote the following from a letter published March 30, 1883, only four days before his death in St. Augustine:

  "'Mr. Ammidown is still engaged in literary pursuits. He is a genial, polished gentleman of the old school, wise enough to be a teacher of any "new school." Mr. Ammidown is a philanthropist. It may be said of him as of the Roman Centurion, "He loveth our nation and hath built us a synagogue." The existence of a public library, reading room and museum, in his native town (Southbridge, Mass.), attest his generosity.

   "'His name is also associated with many valuable improvements in St. Augustine. He is one of the chief supporters of the Presbyterian Church in that city. In fact, everybody knows and loves the retired merchant and scholar, Holmes Ammidown.'

   "Although Mr. Ammidown's residence was in New York city, his winters, of late years, have been spent in St. Augustine, Florida, where he made a host of new friends. His desire to do good was ever present, and his philanthropy was not left in Massachusetts or New York.

   "He aided with a liberal hand the formation of a public library and reading room in St. Augustine, and while a resident there, carefully studied the history of Florida and published a large map of St Augustine.

   "He planted a great variety of ornamental trees and shrubs to adorn the old plaza of the ancient city, and also suggested that a full supply of water for the city might be attained, after sinking artesian wells in the plaza and on his own premises."

   (The Holmes Ammidown mansion was built in 1873 on Cordova Street, today the parking lot for the adjacent Old City House Inn. The inn itself was the stables for the mansion and later served Flagler hotels after the mansion was destroyed by fire.)

   "One of the last acts of his life was a successful effort to obtain from the general government, suitable grounds in the city for the depot of the new railroad from Jacksonville."