A Place in Time:
the changing face of St. Augustine Harbor
Aerial photographs provide the visual record of land use changes. We can use images taken over a period of years to document Florida's changes. In this unit we have been asked to imagine how the environs of St. Augustine might have appeared in 1565 to Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles as he tried to establish settlements in Florida. Unfortunately, photography had not been invented so handdrawn maps were the only references available. How strikingly different are the two images below that show actual changes that have occurred near St. Augustine in the 20th century. The first photograph was taken in 1942, note the month-day-year designation in the upper left corner. The other number on this photograph CZA-4C-42 is the flight number CZA-4C and the tile, or photograph, number within that flight 42.
Look at the aerial below. What date was it taken?
Look for Castillo St. Marcos as your reference point. See what changes have taken place in eighteen intervening years. Look for signs of both human development and natural changes in vegetation. The latter is very evident on the sandy dunes of the barrier island.
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Aerial Photography: FLORIDA
A State University System of Florida PALMM Project

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Updated: May 7, 2004