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Published by former Mayor George Gardner April 26 2013
The Report is an independent publication serving our community.
Contributions are greatly appreciated. Click or mail to
George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084
Click to order St. Augustine Bedtime Stories
two sets of twelve, $15 each set
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Special Report
Memorabilia captures spirit of 1965 anniversary
The brochure for St. Augustine's Quadricentennial year of 1965 was filled with promise, offering "a variety of unusual entertainment and things to see."
 Within are pictures of the new amphitheatre for an original play, The Cross and The Sword, the Mission of Nombre de Dios grounds with new Great Cross, to "be the scene of impressive religious ceremonies," and St. George Street "lined with restored and reconstructed Colonial period homes and buildings."
And visitors were assured, "Here, where civilization and Christianity were first firmly planted on our nation's soil, the stirring history of the centuries will be re-enacted. Events and characters of the past will live again in drama, pageantry, music, art and a festive atmosphere.
"To provide an appropriate setting, many of the buildings in the colonial sections of this ancient city by the sea have been restored to their original Spanish atmosphere and character."
A collection of memorabilia stored away by Wayne Solano, a heritage native of St. Augustine, recounts the excitement of St. Augustine's 400th anniversary.
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A trove of 400th
memorabilia
Wayne Solano was in the right place at the right time - an employee of St. Augustine National Bank (later Barnett) as medallions and first day covers arrived at the bank for the 400th anniversary of St. Augustine in 1965.
Picking through a small black box he had stored away years ago, Wayne produces brochures, tokens, coins and first day covers as the community got into commemorating its 400th.
Included are the official - a City Proclamation issued March 25, 1957, Medallions struck in silver and bronze, first day covers, and the unofficial - a bright orange paper token, clip-on bow tie, metal Stamplate stamp reproduction, and medallion key chain among them.
See the complete collection here.
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Photography by Walter Coker
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Top of proclamation issued by St. Augustine's City Commission March 25, 1957, announcing the city's 400th anniversary.
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Official Commemorative Medallion
The Medallic Art Company of New York was authorized to strike the St. Augustine Quadricentennial Medallion in bronze 2-½" diameter in unlimited quantity, and in fine silver 1-3/4" diameter in a limited issue of 2,500 pieces, serially numbered.
The designs of the official commemorative medallion emphasize the partnership of the military and the religious in the founding of St. Augustine in 1565, and the relationship of St. Augustine to the Hispanic-Caribbean World of that time.
Featured on the obverse side is the military symbol of the sword supported by two archangels superimposed on an imaginary map projection of the Caribbean area in 1565. Also featured is the actual site of St. Augustine as well as reference to the Quadricentennial and the year dates 1565-1965.
The reverse bears a portrait of Don Pedro Menendez, leader of the expedition that founded St. Augustine and a scene symbolic of the dual relationship of the military and religious in which Menendez is kneeling before the cross as held by the priest, Father Lopez.
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Another era honored
our nation's oldest city
It was another era. 
An era when President John F. Kennedy appointed a National Commission composed of leaders from all walks of American life to assist in the celebration.
An era when the State of Florida in 1959 created the St. Augustine Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission which, aided by the St. Augustine Historical Society, City and County governing bodies, and other organizations, made substantial progress toward restoring buildings in the older section of the city to their colonial character.
An era when community leaders of St. Augustine rallied to assist in restoring and recreating the colonial fabric of the city.
 An era commemorated by the Catholic Church with erection of a 200 foot illuminated cross at the landing site where the first mass was said.
An era when the St. Augustine Historical Society erected a new research library in one of the reconstructed colonial buildings and undertook several other local restorations.
An era when the National Park Service restored portions of the city's former defense lines, and Spain and several Latin American countries joined the program of recapturing the atmosphere of the past.
An era when the US Postal Service presented a Florida Quadricentennial Commemorative Stamp, its first day issue at St. Augustine presented by the assistant postmaster general. 
An era when commemorative medallions were struck for the Mission of Nombre de Dios, the Castillo de San Marcos, and St. Augustine - cast in both silver and bronze.
An era when an early Spanish coquina quarry was transformed into a 2,000-seat amphitheatre to present The Cross and The Sword, written by Pulitzer Prize winning author Paul Green.
An era when the St. Augustine City Commission, on March 25, 1957, proclaimed To those Officials, Councils, Gentlemen Squires, Good Men and other persons whatever to whom the following touches or appertains, in this City, County, State and Nation, and Nations of the World the 400th anniversary of the nation's oldest city.
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History's Highlight
Florida Settlement
2 years, 4 months, 14 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Card insert for First Day Cover issue, produced by St. Augustine National Bank
On Easter Sunday in 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon first claimed Florida (originally named Pascua Florida, meaning flowery Easter) for the Spanish empire. It was not until five decades later, however, after several unsuccessful attempts at colonization, that the banner of King Phillip II was firmly planted on the peninsula. When Captain General Pedro Menendez de Aviles sailed into the mouth of the Saint John's River on August 28, 1565, the royal contract he carried dictated an expedition with a two-fold purpose. In addition to a cargo of artisans, farmers, slaves, livestock and tools, the fleet of 10 Spanish vessels transported a fighting force of 500 soldiers and seamen to thwart the Huguenot influence at Fort Caroline, founded by the French a year earlier. Sailing south down the Florida coast 25 miles past the Huguenot settlement, Menendez disembarked the colonists at the River of Dolphins and the village of Saint Augustine was established. Ten days later, when the French fleet was driven out to sea and scattered by a storm, the Spanish force returned by overland route and destroyed the fort, thus ending France's future in Florida. An English effort to destroy Saint Augustine by Sir Francis Drake failed in 1586, and the Spanish village continued to flourish in later years despite a hectic history of sieges and treaties under four different flags. Celebrating its Quadricentennial in 1965, Saint Augustine has earned distinction as the oldest, continuous permanent settlement in the continental United States.
The St. Augustine National Bank
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine Bedtime Stories -
Dramatic accounts of famous people and events in St. Augustine's history - in booklets designed for quick reads before bed. Information
Click to order St. Augustine Bedtime Stories through Paypal.
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The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com
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