PONCE DE LEON HOTEL
Posted by: 
SONOTECH
N 29° 53.526 W 081° 18.878
17R E 469621 N 3306870
PONCE DE LEON HOTEL
Waymark Code: WMVNB
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 10/18/2006
Views: 72
The magnificent structure was erected between 1885 and 1887 by Henry M. Flagler, the hotel and railroad magnate, whose activities contributed greatly to the development of Florida's eastern coastal area. Designed by the New York architectural firm of Carrere and Hastings, the building reflects the Spanish Renaissance style throughout. The hotel was the first major edifice in the United States to be constructed of poured concrete, a mixture of cement, sand and coquina shell. The interior is decorated with imported marble, carved oak, and murals painted by Tojetti and George W. Maynard. Its stained glass windows were created by Louis Tiffany of New York. The Ponce de Leon Hotel was the flagship of the Flagler Hotel system which soon extended all along the east coast of Florida. Located in the "Winter Newport", this resort hotel entertained celebrities from around the world, including several U.S. Presidents. During World War II, the hotel served as a Coast Guard Training Center. In 1968, this historic landmark was converted into Flagler College, an accredited liberal arts institution. Independent and coeducational, the college serves students from across the nation.
Marker Number: F-240
Date: 1975
County: St Johns
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: ST. JOHNS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION IN COOPERATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Website: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.