Structurally, the house, as shown in this 1965 photo taken from Bravo Lane looking west, has not changed dramatically since the 19th century. |
The restoration, shown in this current photo, returned the house to its appearance, including the same paint scheme, during its Third Architectural Phase.
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This photo looking north on Aviles Street was taken in 1940. Note that the entrance to the garden was walled up. |
Today the gate through the garden wall serves as the entrance to the Father Miguel O'Reilly House Museum. |
In 1896 horse and carriage was the primary mode of transportation. Note also the absence of shutters on the windows. |
Trains and trolleys now take visitors around town. The Ximenez-Fatio House is still barely visible in the background. |
This 1870 photo of the house looking south on Aviles Street, shows a group of small children watching a horse and cart before the school day begins. |
More than 130 years later, the image of the children is still a vivid part of the memories that the Father O'Reilly House summons up in those who visit the museum. |
Left: This sketch of the O'Reilly House shows the immediate need for repairs just prior to the Third Architectural Phase. |
The current photo shows how the house may have looked following the improvements at the time the Sisters took possession. |
The oldest structure in St. Augustine is the fort, Castillo de San Marcos, built of tabby and coquina and originally painted white. |
Today very little of the whitewash remains, but beyond that the fort looks much the same as it has for well over 300 years. |
At the time of this sketch, the Government House, built in 1713 as the Governor's residence, was being used as the post office. |
Today the Government house, overlooking the Plaza, is a museum. Juan Carlos I of Spain spoke from the balcony in 2001. |
Twenty years after this sketch was made, the Cathedral would be destroyed by fire. The façade and walls were left standing. |
When the Cathedral was rebuilt within a year of the fire, the Bell Tower in the foreground, a gift of Henry Flagler, was added. |
Since 1808, the twin-towered City Gate, with the decorative pomegranates added in 1818, has been the main entrance to St. Augustine. |
Even since colonial times the main street in St. Augustine has been St. George Street, originally called Government Street. |
Trinity Episcopal Church was constructed in 1825. At the time of this sketch, viewed from across the Plaza, it still retained its original configuration. |
At first glance today, the church looks much the same, but upon closer inspection one can see that the nave was added later to accommodate an entrance on St. George Street. |
Burials in what is now the National Cemetery began in earnest at the end of the Second Seminole War. The obelisk honors those that died in battle. |
In 1881 the burial ground south of the Military Barracks, originally the Franciscan convent, was designated a national Cemetery. |
