St. Augustine’s Most Threatened Historic Places: 2004

The Brick Streets of the Oldest City

Threatened Structures

St. Benedict the Moor School

Villa Rosa

Echo House

Clark -Worley House

Knights of Columbus Hall

Threatened Features

La Punta Community
Mission Archeological Site 

The City’s Brick Streets

The City’s Civil Rights
Landmarks

Ponce de Leon Golf Course

Threatened Districts

Lincolnville National
Register District

The Block Bounded by Genoply and Alfred Streets


The brick streets of St. Augustine’s historic districts are survivors of the Flagler Era and the early automobile age. They add much-commented charm to the ancient city. They are highly visible and part of what makes the town’s ambience and romance. But they often are overlooked and taken for granted as part of what makes St. Augustine feel and look special. Most of the brick streets of St. Augustine’s historic districts have been asphalted over. Those few remaining are in need of repair. The future appears bleak as the remaining brick streets continue to become more and more uneven and complaints increase from drivers demanding that something be done. Asphalting over a bumpy street is quicker, easier and probably cheaper than removing the present surface, re-leveling the street base and re-laying the cleaned brick. But communities all over the country have discovered that the removal of asphalt from the brick streets is worth the effort and in fact is wildly popular. Efforts are often successful because labor is drawn from community volunteers who are enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate in the preservation of their town.

Some Florida communities that have completed brick street restoration projects are Brooksville, Largo, Dade City, Punta Gorda, Orlando, Tarpon Springs and Winter Park. One Illinois city celebrates its real brick streets with an annual community wide event named “Brick Street Days and Barbeque Cookoff.” The City of Orlando publishes a helpful brochure that gives guidance and assistance to residents that think the streets in their neighborhood might hold brick treasure beneath the asphalt.