Flagler College occupies the former Ponce de León Hotel on King Street in downtown St. Augustine. Henry Flagler commissioned the Spanish Renaissance-style building in 1888, and it became a college in 1968. Look for the terracotta roof, red iron gates, courtyard arches and the grand rotunda, whose dome rises 68 feet. A college tour can take you into historic rooms, including the dining hall with Tiffany stained glass. The courtyard and rotunda are accessible without a tour; allow time to admire the details and explore nearby downtown streets.
From hotel to college
The building at the centre of Flagler College began as the Ponce de León Hotel, a luxury resort commissioned by industrialist and railroad magnate Henry Flagler. It opened in 1888, when St. Augustine was developing as a winter resort destination. Architects John Carrère and Thomas Hastings designed the hotel in the Spanish Renaissance style.
The hotel closed in 1967, and Flagler College was established the following year. The college still occupies the historic building, which is a nationally designated landmark. Its present-day use means the campus is also a working place of study, so some interiors are not open to independent visitors.
Architecture and notable interiors
Begin with the exterior details: terracotta accents, red-tiled roofs, iron gates and arched entrances. Inside the former hotel, the rotunda has a domed ceiling 68 feet high. Hand-painted ceilings, carved woodwork and Austrian crystal chandeliers add to the building’s elaborate Gilded Age interiors.
The dining hall is known for its Tiffany stained-glass windows. Accounts differ on the number, so the exact total is best left aside; the glass is the defining detail to look for. Louis Comfort Tiffany is credited with the hotel’s interior design, which also included mosaics and stained glass. The building was equipped with electric lighting when it opened, an early feature for a U.S. building.
How to see the campus
You can walk through the courtyard and rotunda without taking a tour. A college tour is the way to see additional historic rooms, including the dining hall. Since Flagler College is an active campus and much of the building is restricted to students, check tour arrangements ahead of your visit rather than expecting every interior to be accessible.
Flagler College is at 74 King Street, across from the Lightner Museum. The two landmarks make a natural pairing on a downtown walk. Paid street parking and accessible parking are listed at the college address.
Häufige Fragen
Can you visit Flagler College without a tour?
The courtyard and rotunda can be visited without a tour. Much of the building is restricted to students, so a tour is needed to see additional interiors.
Can you see the Tiffany windows?
The Tiffany stained-glass windows are in the dining hall. You need to join a college tour to see that room.
How long does a Flagler College tour take?
A guided tour takes about one hour.
What is Flagler College today?
It is a college housed in the former Ponce de León Hotel, which opened in 1888. Flagler College was established in 1968.
