Inn Bed and Breakfast Loding Accommodations in St Augustine FL. A unique hotel alternative for vacation. History page.

The history of Casa de Solana

Casa de Solana Bed & Breakfast Inn takes its name from the original owner, Don Manuel Lorenzo Solana.

Don Manuel Solana – "don" indicating a gentleman, a higher title than "senor" – was born in St. Augustine on April 7, 1740, of parents who were also natives of the city. When Spain traded Florida to Great Britain in exchange for newly acquired Havana in 1763, Don Manuel was one of only eight men, all "Mounted Dragoons" of the Spanish Army, who were permitted to remain in St. Augustine as the British drove its Spanish residents away. Don Manuel Solana stayed in St. Augustine during the 20 year British period, helping to settle Spanish property claims. During this time he married Mary Mitchell, who had been born in London, and they had a daughter and one or two sons. They later separated, and on June 27, 1781, Don Manuel married young Mary Mestre (Masters), born in Minorca in 1763. Minorcan history is strong in St. Augustine, with many descendants of families brought from Minorca to settle a plantation in New Smyrna, Florida, later relocating to St. Augustine in search of a better life.

Land on Aviles Street (known as Hospital Street during the British occupation), on the site of Casa de Solana, was shown to have a tabby house on a map of 1764. At the start of the 2nd Spanish period of rule over St. Augustine (1783), Don Manuel Solana had managed to acquire much of the former Solana family properties along Aviles Street. Records indicate he first owned the middle plot where the Casa de Solana is now located, and bought the Charlotte and "cross street corner" in 1785. He added the Aviles frontage in a purchase from Antonio de Palma, a "dealer in provisions", and Francisco Entralge, thus extending Solana ownership to the entire south end of the block. A map from 1788 shows a wooden house on the property. The 1793 Census recorded Don Manuel Solana living in a house on this site with his second wife, his 18-year old son Lorenzo from his first marriage, and children Philip (1782-1836), Manuel (b. 1790), and Barlatome (1792-1839). Don Manuel and Mary Masters had eleven children, also including another son named Mateo (Matthew). One account describes Don Manuel's home as being a place where native Americans visited and received kindness and protection.

It is estimated that the original part of the house which is now Casa de Solana was constructed between 1803-1820 by Don Manuel Solana He also owned a plantation, but he lived in this house when not on the plantation, until his death in 1821 – the year the United States took possession of the territory and the Spanish soldiers departed, never to return. Many natives of St. Augustine today trace their lineage back to Don Manuel Solana and other members of the Solana family.

The main house of Casa de Solana is constructed of blocks cut from the native coquina stone, the same material used to build St. Augustine's fort, Castillo de San Marco. The house features other remnants of its original construction, including pegged beams, colonial window panes, double-crossed doors, and handmade bricks. Its east balcony is supported by beams running through the house. The home's living room has exposed heavy ceiling beams, and a colonial mantle around a marble fireplace. At one time the kitchen, with its old bake ovens, and a carriage shed were separate structures on the north end of the property. An English period (1763-1783) wall, 6-1/2 feet high, runs along Aviles street and the south side of the property, creating the peaceful courtyard. Don Manuel Solana House is recorded in the Historical House of America listing in the Library of Congress.

St. Augustine History

The history of Saint Augustine Florida being the oldest European city in the United States. The area was first visited by Ponce de Leon in 1513, but it was Juan Menendez de Aviles who established the first settlement, almost half a century before the first English settlers landed at Jamestown St. Augustine grew to become the Spanish center of power in North America for almost 200 years.

The Settlers encountered the problems that all colonists in America had to endure: a history of wars with the British, French and Native Americans, famine, plagues and one unique problem hurricanes. In 1672 the Spanish, under the direction of Queen Mariana, built

Castillo de San Marcos, a military fortress, to protect their interest form the ever expanding British Empire. St. Augustine was attacked twice by the British but the Spanish survived by laying low in the Castillo.

The British gained control of the city in 1763 and it remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War. It was briefly returned to the Spanish in 1784 because of a provision of the Treaty of Paris. The Spanish who had left during British occupation came back and tried to return the city to it's former self but were trhwarted by the decline of Spanish fortunes everywhere.

The Spanish sold Florida to America in 1821 and left the city. St. Augustine prospered during the Seminole war of the 1830's due to its military involvement in the war. The city's road systems began to improve and the population flourished. Henry Flagler came to the city and was so impressed that he invested in St Augustine's restoration and development as a winter restort. Mr. Flagler contributed some of the cities grandest architecture, such as the Alcazar Hotel (now the Lightner Museum), the Cordova, and the Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College).

The heart of St. Augustine today retains the distinctive plan of a 16th century Spanish Colonial walled town, much of which has been preserved or restored. The numerous remaining colonial buildings in the historic district present an impressive array of architecture from 1703 to 1898.

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