Florida is home to numerous historical landmarks that showcase its vibrant spirit and legacy, from crumbling forts to luxurious estates with lush gardens, these landmarks tell their stories through Florida culture.
Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge in Stuart stands as a testament to the historic system of houses of refuge spread throughout Florida’s coasts for shipwreck survivors, while also hosting one of Florida’s largest Civil War reenactments.
Castillo de San Marcos
The Castillo de San Marcos in Florida is one of its most beloved landmarks, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and frequented by tourists who come here for cannon firings and weaponry demonstrations as well as its beauty. Visitors can take in its beauty while participating in cannon firings or weaponry demonstrations during their visits.
This stunning structure was designed and constructed by the Spanish from coquina stone – a lightweight shell stone known for its porous properties – to mark their presence here in America and as a testament to how our diverse cultural past eventually came together into one nation.
Fort Marion served as an important military base in Spain’s Florida colony and helped protect St. Augustine from attacks by both Spain and England, including two sieges by English forces. Renamed Fort Marion after Revolutionary War General Francis Marion in 1825, it was used by U.S. Army until it was designated a National Monument in 1924 and eventually under the exclusive supervision of National Park Service.
Fort George
Long before Florida became a state, people lived on this rustic barrier island, eking out an existence by collecting oyster shells, hunting game and cultivating crops. Now this historic preserve showcases both natural and cultural history of Northeast Florida; from shell mounds and white tabby ruins to plantation-era homes, the 6,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve offers visitors an engaging opportunity to learn about native Timucuans as well as their relationship to nature.
The park also houses Kingsley Plantation and Ribault Clubhouse, once part of Florida’s system of 10 houses of refuge established to assist shipwreck victims. Visitors may tour these historical landmarks dressed in colonial garb with muskets in hand or take part in guided nature walks.
Florida National Historic Landmarks cover a broad span of history from pre-Columbian times through space age. Of these landmarks there are 17 that represent architectural styles unique to Florida; 11 which hold military significance; and three which honor literary icons.
Chinsegut Hill Historic Site
Florida boasts many historic sites, but Chinsegut Hill in Hernando County stands out among them as being particularly noteworthy. Here stands an 114,000 acre estate complete with manor house that can provide visitors with an insight into decades of Florida history through guided tours.
Beginning in 1904, this property was purchased by the Robins siblings and later renamed Chinsegut Hill after becoming active members in progressive political movements that championed women and children’s rights, among other causes.
This property is now owned and managed in partnership with Hernando County by the Tampa Bay History Center, making it open and available to the public. A guided tour takes visitors through themed rooms of the manor house that represent different time periods, from Victorian bedrooms to an 1880’s Doctor’s office – there is plenty to see and learn at this historic house! Re-enactments of historic events also occur here! This home should be on any history lover’s itinerary!
Plantation Mansion
Old Florida Sugar Plantation and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins tell an important part of Florida’s rich history, while other notable landmarks include Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – home of Mermaids at this roadside attraction; Whitehall Mansion built by Henry Flagler himself in Palm Beach; Olustee Battlefield State Park commemorating one of Florida’s key Civil War battles; Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is another fun stop along this route; also, don’t miss Weeki Wachee Springs State Park where Mermaids still perform regularly at this roadside attraction; Weeki Wachee Springs State Park offers its visitors another adventure: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park still mermaid shows during roadside attractions; Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is another must visit, where Mermaids still perform; Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (where Mermaids still perform), Whitehall (built by Henry Flagler), Olustee Battlefield State Park commemorating one of most pivotal Civil War battleground State Park marks one such battlefront State park;
Florida boasts several notable National Historic Landmarks. Of particular note is Key Largo’s Coral Castle – constructed over 20 years by Edward Leedskalnin and frequently compared to Stonehenge or even the Great Pyramids!
