North Beach/Usina
This site is believed by some historians to correspond with the offshore location where Juan Ponce de León calculated his fleet’s position when he first sighted Florida. Ponce’s fleet of three vessels set sail from Puerto Rico in early March 1513. On Sunday, March 27, the day of the Festival of the Resurrection, they sighted what they thought was an island. After sailing northwest along the coast, the fleet moved close to shore, and at noon on April 2 a sighting of the sun was taken, probably with either a quadrant or mariner’s astrolabe. In his work, "Historia General de los Hechos de Los Castellanos en las Islas Y Tierra Firme del Mar Océan", published in 1601, Spanish historian Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas recorded that the location was 30° 8’ [north latitude]. Herrera’s appointment by Phillip II of Spain as the major chronicler of the Indies gave him access to authentic sources, including documents made during Ponce’s voyage that would not have been available to other writers. This site has been preserved in its natural condition by the State of Florida and is likely what Ponce de León would have seen as he approached Florida for the first time in 1513.Read More
Vilano Beach Casino
In 1926, Florida developer August Heckscher built the Grand Vilano Casino, a Mediterranean Revival-style building on Vilano Beach. Big name bands from New York, vaudeville acts, theme parties and dances were hosted here. This unique oceanfront casino had monumental architecture on property 300 feet wide and 250 feet deep, a salt water swimming pool 150 feet long by 50 feet wide, and fine dining. A palm log bridge over the North River constructed in the 1920s provided access to the island by car from the city of St. Augustine. On August 28, 1937, 50-mile-per-hour winds lashed across the coast and high tides sparked the Vilano Beach Casino’s demise. But before it was destroyed, the ornate columns were saved and donated to the Florida Memorial College.Learn More
Nease House
The park was home to local conservationist, Allen Nease, who was a pioneer in Florida's reforestation and preservation efforts in the mid-20th century. He planted more than 55 million pine trees throughout North Florida, and eventually earned the nickname, "Johnny Pine Tree."Learn More
Bluebird of Happiness
This eight-foot-tall bird was originally painted orange to promote Florida’s citrus industry to visitors before major interstate routes were built. Hoteliers Newt and Wilda Haley purchased the bird for $100, restored it, painted it blue, and added “Newt’s Motel” on the belly as a landmark for travelers.The bird found its way to a home in North City, but the Porter Family who purchased the home agreed to donate it to the Vilano Main Street Group. In 2009, the “Bring Back the Bird” campaign was launched with a goal of $4,500 to completely restore the bluebird which was completed in about four years. Learn More
Haley's Court Sign
This original motor court sign is an icon of the Vilano Beach tourism boom of the 1940s and 50s. Haley’s Court was one of several art-moderne styled, family oriented motels lining Vilano Road at mid-century.
Magic Beach Motel
Originally built in 1951 and operating as the Vilano Beach Motel, this vibrant and charming motel got its name from its use as a set location for the 1999 Warner Brothers TV series titled Safe Harbor starring Emmy winner, Golden Globe nominee, and Golden Girl Rue McClanahan. Read MoreYou will find that all of Magic Beach Motel's accommodations are completely renovated and updated. At the Magic Beach Motel, each room is unique in its own special way. Discover More
