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Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine, FL, 1920

Subjects
GardensMonuments & Memorials
Card type
Linen
Date
c. 1920 (White Border)
Front of Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine, FL, 1920, c. 1920 linen postcard
Front
Back of Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine, FL, 1920, c. 1920 linen postcard
Back

About this postcard

A rustic open pavilion of stacked stone pillars and a shingled roof shelters the stone well or spring basin. A sign board reads "FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH. 1513." Ivy climbs one pillar, flowering shrubs bloom in the foreground, and a palm, lawn, and trees fill the background. The 1513 date points to Ponce de León's Florida expedition, the era later tied to the fountain legend. St. Augustine, founded by Spain in 1565, is the oldest continuously occupied European city in the continental United States. By the early 20th century the spring was an established tourist stop, and the card's text calls it "a great curiosity of St. Augustine" while joking that it has lost its power to preserve youth for anyone who drinks.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

Came down. drink going. gay! As ever yours H A Manchester Feb 26 '20

PublisherW. J. Harris Co.
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. Fountain of Youth is a great curiosity of St. Augustine. it has lost its Power of Preserving Youth for him who drinks of its waters. it has one peculiarity distinguishing it from other wells in that the water rises and falls without any apparent reason or cause.
PostmarkedSt. Augustine, FL, February 26, 1920, 16:30
Stamp
Addressed to
H. S. Hunter

Lexington St East Boston, MA

Postcard record

Postmarked, St. Augustine, FL
PublisherW. J. Harris Co.
SeriesA-21230
ConditionVery good
Place addressedH. S. Hunter, Lexington St, East Boston, MA
Place depictedFountain of Youth
Place depictedSt. Augustine, FL
PublisherSt. Augustine, FL
Stamp1c George Washington, green, issued 1909
NotesWhite border around the image; visible linen-like crosshatch texture; light edge wear. Postmark: ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. FEB 26 4-30P 1920. Divided-back C.T. American Art card (series A-21230) with white border; glossy surface; light foxing/toning and edge wear; small pencil '200' and '#59' notations at top; sign in image reads 'FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH. 1513.'

Cite this card

Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine, FL, 1920, postcard, c. 1920. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/fountain-of-youth-st-augustine-fl-1920. Accessed November 2, 2026.