Casa Monica at Dusk St Augustine Original Painting

This original painting measures 24x30 inches. During my visit to St. Augustine, I was captivated by the architecture of Flagler College and the Lightner Museum, both of which were originally hotels built in the 1880s. I was surprised to learn that The Casa Monica was constructed around the same period and also boasts its own rich history. Although it appears newer and more pristine due to a 1960s remodel that covered the original poured concrete with stucco, it retains the elegant Spanish Renaissance style.  The hotel was initially built by Franklin W. Smith, who used the innovative concrete method for his residence, Villa Zorayda. After facing financial difficulties, Smith sold the hotel to Henry Flagler. At the turn of the century, a bridge connected it to the Hotel Alcazar (now the Lightner Museum). The hotel closed during the Great Depression and later served as a courthouse.  As I delved into the history of The Casa Monica, the phrase "time stands still for no man" resonated with