Walking Tour
The Henry Flagler / Franklin Smith Legacy
Franklin Smith, a wealthy Bostonian, moved his lovely socialite wife to sleepy little St. Augustine in 1883 and set about building his fantasy dream house. His amazing "Zorayda Castle" was the first building in the United States made by the new technology of poured concrete.
When Mr. Henry Flagler visited St. Augustine for the second time in 1886, he met Mr. Smith. At this time Mr. Smith shared his newfangled building techniques with Mr. Flagler, and the race was on. The six churches, three hotels, homes and schools Mr. Flagler created here comprise our unique skyline in St. Augustine. We are still showing off the buildings and explaining the relationship of the two most powerful men in North Florida at the time.