Historic St. Augustine, Florida Photo from Mid-20th Century

This vintage photograph, attributed to Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures a historic view of St. Augustine, Florida, specifically showcasing a collection of old recorded books. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, emphasizing the architectural and cultural significance of this region.

St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is recognized as the oldest city in the United States. The photograph highlights elements of early American history, including registers and candles that reflect the communitys past practices and record-keeping traditions. The inclusion of these artifacts provides insight into the daily life and governance of the time.

Taken in the mid-20th century, this image is a valuable representation of Floridas historical narrative. It was acquired from the Frances Benjamin Johnston estate in 1953 and is preserved in the Library of Congress.

KNOWOLs historic images connect the rich stories and imagery of our past. A statement in any room, each is printed on museum-quality paper using a restored version of the original.