Vintage Bleak House Photo, St. Augustine FL, 1953

This vintage photograph captures the architectural essence of St. Augustine, Florida, specifically highlighting a structure known as Bleak House, also referred to as Long-Sanchez. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a significant collection that documents the historical buildings of the region.

St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is recognized as the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. The photograph showcases the unique design elements characteristic of the area, including its distinctive balconies and backyard spaces, which reflect the lifestyle of early 20th-century Floridians.

Taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston, an influential photographer, this image serves as an important record of St. Augustines architectural heritage. The photograph was acquired from Johnstons estate in 1953 and remains a valuable resource for understanding the regions historical narrative.