Visitors to St. Augustine can explore the historic Florida city aboard a vintage-style Model T replica operated by Past Time Tours. The company offers 90-minute guided tours that traverse the streets of the nation’s oldest city, combining transportation nostalgia with educational commentary on local heritage.
Guide Reggie Storey leads the excursions, sharing details about the individuals, locations, and events that influenced the area’s development. During the ride, Storey highlights specific landmarks, including Flagler College, which was originally constructed as the Hotel Ponce de Leon by industrialist Henry Flagler. Storey notes that Flagler frequently stayed at the hotel when visiting the town. He also points out that Thomas Edison installed the electrical systems in the hotel and other nearby structures in 1888.
The tour route includes Avila Street, identified as the oldest street in the country, and the Treasury building, which was constructed in 1900. Storey emphasizes the city’s architectural and historical significance during the drive through downtown.
A key stop on the itinerary is the site of the first documented Catholic parish Mass in what is now the United States, held on September 8, 1565. Nearby stands the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, a site that attracts visitors seeking spiritual comfort. Storey mentions that families often bring sick relatives to the shrine in hopes of healing.
Charles Tingley, a research historian with the St. Augustine Historical Society, provides context on the city’s deep historical roots. He explains that walking through downtown St. Augustine means walking on three to four feet of cultural and archaeological deposits accumulated over centuries.
