Just across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos awaits a step back in time that starts with a bang.
"The flintlock goes off and people oohhh and ahhh," remarks John Stavely, the general manager of St. Augustine's Colonial Quarter.
It's in the nation's oldest city where Florida's history lives.
"The solders, the families, they were all right in this spot," Stavely explained.
At the Colonial Quarter, history jumps off the page. The two-acre village on St. George Street is a working community dating back almost 450 years.
"There are a lot of claims for the first Thanksgiving, but one of the first celebrations of Thanksgiving, did take place right here in St. Augustine."
The Colonial Quarter opens up into different eras of history. Signs point the way to the four different quadrants showcasing 16th, 17th 18th century Spanish history and 18th century British history.
"The ocean was their highway," said Gary Kennedy, a modern day shipwright.
You could say Gary is busy building an ark. The boat builder is busy reconstructing a Spanish vessel.
"Back in the 16th century, it wasn't that they didn't have power tools. They had plenty of power tools, it was getting long enough extension cords," Kennedy jokes as he stands among a new power saw and several cords.
Eventually, his reproduction of a caravel will stand 40 feet tall when done, although that may take a while.
"I am thinking in about seven years at this rate," Gary said about the completion date.
A Spanish and British restaurant on site feature menus with authentic flavors, like the Minorcan Clam Chowder.
You can work off lunch by climbing to the top of the Spanish watchtower for a look at the Castillo de San Marcos and Matanzas Inlet.
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