I have lived in St. Augustine off and on for the past 20 years, and graduated from Flagler College (the Ponce De Leon hotel, pictured, is the main campus hub). This image seems to have been taken from atop the Flagler Memorial Church - which was constructed in this time period to memorialize Henry Flagler's daughter. At the time, it's dome would have made it the tallest building in town. This pic is a great find, I've never seen one from this angle.The "field" in the lower right of the image is now the site of the college library.

The house in the lower left (36 Sevilla) is off the market -- it houses the Flagler Business Office.

What a fantastic picture - and are they huge flocks of birds in the sky? superb.

Kinda makes me wonder what other bends in the fabric of time have gone unrecognized... ;)

Seems like a wonderful campus. The website has a bunch of pics and a bit of the history of the place.

Hotel needed lots of hot water, usually supplied by a coal-fired boiler. The largest hot water application was probably the laundry, which typically operated around the clock. The kitchen also used a fair amount. Domestic hot water (distributed to taps in guest rooms) was also significant.

I would say that hotel was named appropriately. Does anyone know it it is still there?

[The former Ponce de Leon Hotel is now Flagler College. - Dave]

Why would a hotel need a giant smokestack (if indeed it belongs to the hotel?).

[Powerhouse, incinerator, boiler plant -- take your pick. - Dave]

With the current Florida real estate market, who knows! You might be able to get a sweet deal!

[Busted by Google Street View! The 1890 glass negative had a piece of tape covering the second-floor windows, so I cut and pasted a single window to cover the hole. - Dave]

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Any chance of floor plans for those fabulous buildings? It has so many interesting shapes, and the few rooms we've seen are so beautiful, there must be hidden treasures throughout the place.

withdrawal has already set in!

What strikes the most in this spectacular view is the total emptiness of Anastasia Island, the barrier island (now filled with subdivisions) off in the distance beyond the Matanzas River. You see clear out to the St. Augustine Lighthouse!

Is Shorpy perhaps vacationing in Florida?

[Colorado! Tonight, coming to you from Room 103 at the Courtyard by Marriott. - Dave]

Bon Voyage!

Happens with a long exposure. Thanks for this one. It's stunning.

The photo must have been taken early in the morning, possibly on a Sunday. Except for the horse and buggy and one man, near the corner of the property, lower right. It was 1890, so no automobiles yet, however the street shows "emissions" from a major source of motive power at the time.

I want that house in the lower left corner. Great picture - so much to look at!!