FIRST - Permanent Settlement of Greeks in North America
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Marine Biologist
N 29° 53.776 W 081° 18.793
17R E 469759 N 3307332
A plaque on Casa Avero, now also known as the St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine, denotes this area as the first permanent settlement of Greeks on the North America continent.
Waymark Code: WM7MA1
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/08/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Zork V
Views: 16
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A historical plaque on the historic house/shrine, which is located on historic St. George Street, provides the following information:

Casa Avero

St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine

Built 1749 - Restored 1979

This shrine is dedicated to the memory of the 400 Greeks who arrived in St. Augustine in 1768. Took on fresh supplies, then journeyed south to help settle the colony of New Smyrna, Florida. After ten difficult years, the survivors of that colony sought refuge in St. Augustine, where they gathered in the Avero House for worship. These pioneers comprised the first permanent settlement of Greeks on this continent. This house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Property of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America

From the Florida Division of Historical Resources website:

St. Augustine AVERO HOUSE 39 St. George St. Early 18th century. Spanish colonial elements. 2 stories, stuccoed, 1st-floor windows have rejas (bars). 4 vigas (roof beams) on front facade. Among the oldest houses in the district, once used as a private oratory by Catholic Minorcans and as a place of worship for Greeks who migrated from the failed New Smyrna colony. Private. N.R. 1972.

FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group

Date of FIRST: 01/01/1768

More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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