St. Augustine, Fl. is the oldest occupied city in the United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers, the city ironically owes much of its legacy to its destruction by British forces which invaded and destroyed much of the settlement in 1702. St. Augustine’s inhabitants rebuilt the city embracing the architectonics of its forefathers. St. Augustine’s narrow street patterns and balconied architecture designed by master craftsmen from Spain reflect both the modern and colonial area’s origins perhaps unlike that of no other city. Today the area is a historic and popular tourist attraction in part because of its rich architectural heritage, preservation efforts and accomplishments. St. Augustine’s Spanish colonial style architecture coupled with 19th century composition make for quite a quaint and charming colony nestled along a meandering inlet leading to the Atlantic Ocean.