JARM DEL BOCCIO, AUTHOR AND BOOK COACH
  • HOME
  • About Jarm
    • Children's Author
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Books
  • Book Coaching
    • Coaching Services
  • My Blog
  • Author Engagements
    • Author Events
    • TEACHER'S GUIDE & HEART RESOURCES
  • SUBSCRIBE

A Writerly Blog

Making History Come Alive in St. Augustine

3/17/2021

0 Comments

 
Old City of St. Augustine Man Hole Cover
There is nothing more delightful to a historical fiction author's heart, than a visit to an old city. It's intriguing and enlightening, and sometimes hilarious! People are people no matter which century they lived in.
Old St. Augustine Museum
Even in 1908, there were hygienic issues. Most farmers (I'm told) came from the fields with hands stained with manure, and never bothered to wash their hands on their way out of the lavatory!
So, I was thrilled when my hubby and I had the chance to visit St. Augustine, Florida last month. Can you see the excitement on my face?? It's not only an old city, (established before Jamestown) but THE oldest city in the US, founded by the Spanish, and later taken over by the British and finally, at the end of the Revolutionary war, sold to the colonies.
Jarm Del Boccio, historical fiction author visits St. Augustine
The first thing I always do, given the time, is to get the 'lay of the land'. Whether a walking tour, or a multi-stop bus/trolley tour, I make sure I have a broad picture of what the city has to offer. Then, I make a list of priorities, depending on the number of days I will be visiting.
Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine
Old Town Trolley tours of St. Augustine

Finding Quirky Items and Bits of History

Inevitably, no matter what museums or historic locations I visit, I find some quirky things. Not only did I chuckle on my way out of the women's restroom (see the red door above), but I also was amused at this invention (below) created around the turn of the century.

Some days, if the sun's position is just right, I can take some photos of intricate buildings and hardware designs.
Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church
Flagler (man who developed St. Augustine) Memorial Presbyterian Church
Flagler College
Ironwork fence at Flagler College

Interesting Historical Artifacts

I also take note of interesting artifacts. The fingerprint kit below sitting on the sheriff's desk at St. Augustine jail is from Scotland Yard.
Old Jail in St. Augustine

Then, one can always find old brick or stone walls, and sometimes, the remains of a city gate.
Oldest House in St. Augustine
The Oldest House brick/stone walls
North gates of city in St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine's old north city gates

All Things Vintage

I always get a kick out of vintage products and lifestyles. Before we began, our tour guide at the Oldest Store (Orville by name), gave one last shout-out for customers. He mentioned he had to do a bit of 'marketing" first. Yep. Things never change. 
Oldest Store Museum in St. Augustine
St. Augustine's Oldest Store Museum
Many times there was a touch of alcohol in medicinal products to keep the customers coming back. Hmmm. . .

I look for mesmerizing structural patterns . . .
St. Augustine lighthouse
219 steps to the top of St. Augustine lighthouse!
Jacksonville, Florida bridge
Bridge to Jacksonville, Florida

And of Course, Everyone Loves a Hero!

I'm constantly on the lookout for heroes. And surprisingly, they aren't always human! There are engaging stories to uncover.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
St. Augustine Lighthouse, Maria Andreu
Kate Harn, St. Augustine Lighthouse
St. Augustine Lighthouse, Cracker Daniels and the flying cat.
And that's a look into a historical fiction author's travel research. Next time, I will attempt to highlight more in depth one of the locations above. Are there any that interest you? Let me know in the comments.
For another peek into my travels, check out my blogpost featuring the colorful city (in a historic way) of Charleston.

Ways to help an author: Jarm Del Boccio
Have you read The Heart Changer? If so, Amazon is waiting for your review! My middle-grade historical fiction has 40 reviews and needs 10 more to hit 50. At that point, Amazon will place it alongside similar books when a customer checks out, and it receives more views. ​Can you help me?

If you've already reviewed it, THANK YOU! Take a look at the ideas above - any would bless my heart. Here's a link to The Heart Changer - it's on Kindle for $4.99. Or try an audiobook version.

Hopefully the weather is warming up for those living in the northern hemisphere. Keep hanging on - and take courage!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Good News!

    My MG Biblical fiction "The Heart Changer" debuted in 2019 with Ambassador International.
    ​
    May I inspire you?
    ​ 
    If so, sign up HERE! 


    You’ll receive news of my latest blogpost and inspiration from life and literature to bring focus into your own journey. 

    ​I love to share the quirky things I see in the world. Sometimes, it's for a laugh; at other times, to teach a lesson. Or, just maybe, it will encourage you!

    Archives

    April 2025
    January 2025
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    August 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Adoption
    Aging
    Amazon
    Author
    Author Endorsements
    Author Historical Sites
    Author Interviews
    Basque Country
    Book Cover Reveal
    Book Endorsements
    Bookish Things
    Book Launch
    Book Trailer
    Bucket Lists
    Charleston
    Children's Book Week
    Christmas
    Crisis
    Debut Book
    Disability
    Edie Melson
    Emotional Thesaurus
    England
    English Authors
    Faith Insights
    Fantasy Novels
    Film Insights
    Good Reads
    Gratitude
    History
    Insights
    Inspirational
    Jarm Del Boccio
    Julie Hedlund’s 12x12
    Languages
    Legacy Of Mercy
    Literary Insights
    Lynn Austin
    Media
    Memories
    Mesu Andrews
    Middle Grade Novels
    Middle-grade Novels
    Minimalism
    Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
    My Nomad Journey
    National Reading Month
    North Carolina
    North Korea
    Picture Books
    Portugal
    Rice From Heaven
    Sailing
    SC
    SCBWI
    Social Media
    Spain
    Technology
    Tessa Afshar
    The Desert
    The Heart Changer
    The Liebster Award
    The Way Home
    Tina Cho
    Travel
    Travel Writing
    Word Of The Year
    World Events
    Writer’s Block
    Writer's Conference
    Writer's Craft
    Writer’s Journey
    Writer's Retreat
    YA Novels

    RSS Feed

  • HOME
  • About Jarm
    • Children's Author
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Books
  • Book Coaching
    • Coaching Services
  • My Blog
  • Author Engagements
    • Author Events
    • TEACHER'S GUIDE & HEART RESOURCES
  • SUBSCRIBE