Published by former Mayor George Gardner April 6 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
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Roundabout relief on San Marco?
Fast-tracking the forestalled project to relieve congestion at San Marco Avenue and May Street, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to start construction on a redesign this summer with completion in Spring 2018.
FDOT will hold an access management public hearing April 26 on the improvement plan. The 4:30 to 6:30 pm hearing will include project detail review and a brief presentation.
Senior Project Manager Eric Shimer says, "This project will be bid with the May Street drainage improvements, to begin construction in Summer, 2016, and end construction Spring, 2018."
The high priority project was forestalled by plans for a 7-Eleven at San Marco and May until public protest ended with the city's purchase of the property. It was quickly resold to FDOT to provide room for what Shimer describes as a single quadrant / off-set T-intersection designed to keep traffic moving through the area.
Features will include a dedicated left turn lane on West San Carlos to US 1, extended left turn lane on San Marco to May Street east, and multiple lanes to increase traffic flow.
Find a printable flyer here.
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Lightner Museum Curator Barry Myers and Elizabeth Graham, docent and textile guru, will focus on the evolution of women's undergarments and highlight Victorian fashion trends in today's monthly museum tour.
"This talk will seek to 'bust' some myths about the dangers of corset-wearing and social extremes ladies of the 19th century sought to achieve," according to the museum.
The tours are the first Wednesday of each month at 10 am. Tours are included in the price of admission and begin in the front lobby of the Museum. Admission is free for St. Johns County residents with valid identification.
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St. John's Printing
has closed its doors
St. John's Printing & Cartridge World of St. Augustine has "officially" closed its doors.
A fixture on King Street across from the post office for 38 years, it opened in 1978 and added its cartridge refilling service in 2005.
"All customers are encouraged to go to American Printing, Mike Miles, for any/all of their printing needs," according to its website. "Mike has all of St. John's Printing's art work...from old files of yesteryear to recent customers' digital files. ... Mike is a great person ..."
American Printing is located at 1730 Tree Blvd, across SR 312 from Cobblestone Plaza.
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 Truck delivery regs
Responding to concerns about delivery truck queues along Carrera Street and the city regulation plan in general, Public Works Director Martha Graham says, "The implementation plan is underway and covers multiple tasks that may need two years to complete in total.
"The study recommended adding loading zones in the area of Cordova near Hypolita and we are redesigning Tolomato parking lot to add a few spaces that will relieve this area," She says. "There is no plan to eliminate or extend the existing zone on Carrera, however, the plan calls for increased fines to encourage compliance with the regulations.
"We are working to approach this on several fronts: engineering - i.e., adding capacity where needed, enforcement - update ordinances, fines, fees and hours to 'encourage' compliance; and education - informing companies, drivers, and business owners regarding issues and working together to accommodate with boundaries."
Graham noted the final report on the truck delivery system is on the city website. Read it here.
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El Galeón returns
to home port here
The galleon Andalucía has returned to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina for a two-week stay.
The 170-foot, 495-ton replica of Spanish galleons that ruled the seas 500 years ago is owned and operated by the Nao Victoria Foundation of Seville, Spain. The ship is open for tours through April 12, 10 am - 7 pm. Admission $12 ($10 for St. Johns County residents) and $6 for children, aged 5-12 ($5 for St. Johns County residents).
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Read an abstract of Horowitz's findings here. |
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Living History at Ximenez-Fatio House
 Living History Day Saturday at Ximenez-Fatio House Girl Scouts of Gateway Council dress for the mid-1800s Saturday to shoulder the period's Seminole Indian uprisings, the separation of families, threat of the Yellow Fever epidemic, geographical isolation, and the feared prediction of the American Civil War, at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum on Aviles Street. 7th, 8th, and 9th graders will portray the lives of the brave women who operated, worked, or visited the establishment during the early years of Florida's statehood and tourism industry in this 7th Annual Living History Day. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida (NSCDA-FL) owns the historic property as part of its mission, "To actively promote our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service and educational projects." The Girl Scouts' mission is "Building Courage, Confidence and Character through Discovery, Connecting and Taking Action." The Colonial Dames have worked extensively with the participating girls in this educational project filled with the discovery of women from another age, connecting with their identities, and taking action by writing the scripts, sewing appropriate dresses, and acting the characters' parts during the day's re-enactment. Saturday's event hours 10 am to 4 pm; admission $8.
Festival of the Chariots Saturday
The Festival of the Chariots begins at 10 am Saturday in the historic downtown area.
The Festival of the Chariots, also known as RathaYatra, is a timeless festival that celebrates an invitation to the Lord of the Universe to enter our hearts.
It will include a downtown procession and festivities in the Plaza de la Constitución.
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History's Highlight
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The Huguenot Cemetery
Samuel Fleischman is at rest in the northeast corner of this simple, 191-year-old cemetery, the first recorded burial, October 18, 1821. He was 14 years old.
 Florida became a U.S. territory July 10, 1821, after more than 250 almost uninterrupted years of Spanish rule. Within months, visitors and immigrants flocked to this unknown semitropical paradise, some to settle, others to visit for their health. Within months, too, a deadly visitor arrived - yellow fever. City fathers knew they must prepare for burials. The only existing burial ground of the time was the Tolomato Catholic Cemetery. A sanctified grounds, Protestant burials would not be allowed.
In September, 1821, the city sought a "... Suitable Lot for a Publick burial place for all Protestant denominations of Christians."
The site was part of the original Spanish defense area. The U.S. territorial government decided it would no longer be needed, and approved its use as a cemetery. Its last grantee under Spanish rule sold it to Presbyterian Minister Thomas Alexander in 1827. Five years later the minister transferred title to the Presbyterian Church.
There are 120 known burials here, of all ages and from all areas. Many came for their health ... departed this life whilst on a visit to this city for the benefit of his health, ... left that city for the benefit of his health. ... died on a tour for his health at St. Augustine.
What sorrow can be felt in markers for the Josias Campbell family in 1830: son Josias, July 4, age 3; mother Elizabeth, July 5, age 39; father Josias, September 5, 52.
The Huguenot Cemetery existed through a significant era before both it and the Tolomato Cemetery were closed by ordinance requiring that cemeteries be established away from growing residential areas.
That era, 1821 to 1884, included the Seminole Indian War of 1835-1842 and the American Civil War, 1861-1865. In neither event was St. Augustine a battleground, its defense works too strong for serious attack.
But those events, along with the growing pains of a new territory, touched the lives, and are part of the record, of the souls at eternal rest in the Huguenot Cemetery.
Image: Marker describes Huguenot Cemetery adjacent to the Visitor Information Center.
Excerpt from St. Augustine Bedtime Stories. Click for further information on this fascinating historic series.
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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 a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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