I purchased a bungalow just over a year ago in order to start a short-term rental business in St Augustine. My sweet yellow house was built about 100 years ago in the traditional vernacular style of the time. I knew it had some stories to tell and made the time recently to get over to the St Augustine Historical Society to see what details they had on file or could tell me about the house.
If you have a property in the City of St Augustine you are likely to find historical details there. You have to patch it together to find answers, but you can review the annual maps dating back to the late 1800s and the annual registry of residences will give addresses and who lived there. After going through various books and maps from different dates it is possible to find out quite a bit on the property or home you own.
Here’s what I learned about my house:
– Built in 1924 not 1920 as the appraiser says. I was told property appraiser dates for historic homes are almost always wrong in St Augustine
– The house was in the city records as 93 Lovett and 50 Lovett for many years. It was only in the 90s that it changed to 27 Lovett
– In the 1950s the porch was covered in as in this picture
– MLK Ave was called Central Ave
– Lovett was Lovitt at one time
– Occupations of residents were cooks, laborers, fisherman, maids
– The original structure has been added to many times. There once was a shed in the back yard.
I am continuing to find more info as I talk to residents who have lived in the neighborhood for a long time and also made a visit to the Lincolnville Cultural Center, another interesting spot for history buffs.
St. Augustine Historical Society
6 Artillery Lane, St. Augustine
Call ahead as you will need an appointment to visit
Tel: 904-825-2333
