St. Augustine Ghosts & Gravestones

St. Augustine’s “Frightseeing” Tour, Ghosts & Gravestones has added an even more chilling stop to its already daunting tour. The Trolley of the Doomed now makes it way over to Lighthouse Park, where guests can explore and experience the presence of those who are believed to haunt the Lighthouse grounds. The Lighthouse has numerous recorded deaths that relate to the unique hauntings that have been witnessed onsite.  Visitors and employees have claimed to see moving shadows and have heard whispered voices and unexplained noises. The new tour is a must for the curiously brave soul who dares to question the unexplainable.

Share on Facebook

Juan Ponce de Leon

     In the year 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon left Spain in search of The Fountain of Youth.  Legend reveals that anyone who was to drink from the fountain would stay young forever. Ponce de Leon left Spain with expectations of discoveringthe fountain in Bimini, an island located in the Bahamas. Ponce de Leon’s strength of mind directed him to deem a piece of North America an island (la Florida), and claimed the land in the name of his King, the King of Spain. Ponce de Leon was the first European to explore Florida.

 St. Augustine, Florida is rich in Spanish history, and is honored to have the opportunity to showcase many unique exhibits, specifically intended to educate the general public on St. Augustine’s extensive past.

 The St. Augustine History Museum already features a combination of historical displays, and private collections that bring over 400 years of Florida history to life. The museum is proud to present its newest exhibit opening this June, “Treasures of Juan Ponce de Leon and Domestic Life in Spanish Colonial St. Augustine.”

 Archaeologist Raphael A. Cosme has been researching and investigating Spanish colonial artifacts for the last 25 years. Cosme’s discoveries have been identified as the best archaeological findings of all time in the Caribbean. Now the “Treasures of Juan Ponce de Leon” will be accessible for public viewing. Cosme’s findings include a comb carved out of bone, buttons, glass, coins dating from 1500 to 1630, cattle bones, and plenty of other inimitable pieces. What makes this exhibit truly fascinating is the fact that the site location of excavation could be the land boundary of Ponce de Leon’s temporary wooden house, which was built between 1519 and 1521. 

The exhibit is a must see to complete one’s vacation here in the city of St. Augustine.

Share on Facebook

The steamship Medea

“This is a unique opportunity,” said Ray Ashley, Ph.D., executive director of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. “It may be that no living person has seen two of these boats together, and maybe no one will again.”

These elegant steam yachts are rare since many were used as warships during World War I and were lost during anti-submarine efforts. Then the advent of diesel engines for yachts began.

The Cangarda

Share on Facebook

Last night in Key West Bobby Bernreuter, National Sales Manager for Historic Tours of America,  presented to Nancy Bartlett, Head Sales Representative of Old Town Trolley Tours of Key West the HTA Goalie of the Year Award.   Nancy was commended for her leadership abilities which inspired the Trolley Sales Team to achieve 122% of their annual sales goals.

Our HTA top sales reps for busting goals are Washington DC’s Tom Austin who achieved a whopping 187% of his annual goal, followed by Matt Tielkemeier of OTT Key West at 149%, and Teresa Hanke of the Conch Tour Train at 133%. The following are the top reps from the remaining operations: Calvin Thomas at 131%, Savannah; Barbie Harrell at 126%, San Diego; John King at 115%, Boston; and Kathleen Helland at 110%, St. Augustine.

HTA President Ed Swift, Nancy Bartlett, CEO Chris Belland and Bob Bernreuter

Share on Facebook

Here at Old Town Trolley Tours we have some special surprises for all of the Mom’s touring with us on Mother’s Day, May 9. But first, a little history…

The first Mother’s Day Proclamation was made by Julia Ward How in 1870. It most likely was a reaction horrendous losses suffered in the American Civil War and the Franco Prussian War in Europe and tied into her very strong pacifist beliefs. Many attempts were made to establish a Mother’s Day, but it wasn’t until 1908 that Anna Jarvis of West Virginia did so to honor one’s mother, which had been a dream of her own mother. After much lobbying to President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday in 1914. Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world at different times of the year, but 77 countries, including the US and Canada, celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May.

So in honor of Mother’s Day 2010, Old Town Trolley Tours of Washington, Boston and St. Augustine will be presenting mother who ride the tour with carnations. In Key West all moms will get a free ice cream cone from Mattheessens Ice Cream Parlor. In Savannah, moms will get a delicious ice cream cone from Leopold’s and in San Diego, from Cold Stone Creamery. So from all of us at Old Town Trolley Tours, Happy Mother’s Day!

Share on Facebook

It was on this day back in 1982, when Conch Republic established itself after border patrols were set up on the mainland of Florida, isolating Keys residents. The residents of the Florida Keys revolted, established their own country with a flag, form of government and then immediately applied for foreign aid.

This independent spirit continues today and we celebrate it with nine days of events. This evening an old favorite is coming back, the seven foot Key Lime Pie. The fun begins at Mallory Square at 5:30 and is a benefit for the Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden which honors many of the republic’s famous and not so famous citizens.

Flag of the Conch Republic

Share on Facebook

The Blue Angels

Old Town Trolley Tours was a proud sponsor of the Southernmost Air Spectacular

Share on Facebook

Be sure to check out two great new pages on our website at www.trolleytours.com/keywest. We have just added an Events page so when planning your next vacation to Key West you can see what fun festivals, street fairs, fishing tournaments and literary seminars are taking place at the same time. Be sure to check out our comprehensive listing of Attractions as well. People are often amazed at how many museums, attractions and water sports we have on our small island.

Share on Facebook

Today marks the 99th of one of America’s greatest playrights, Tennessee Williams. Born Thomas Lanier Williams in Columbus, MS on March 26, 1911, Williams changed his name to Tennessee, the state of his father’s birth, in 1939 when he moved to New Orleans. Much of Williams works are based on the dysfunction of his family. His father was an alcoholic, his mother a hysteric and his sister, Rose, to whom he was devoted to, suffered from schizophrenia. In most of his works including The Glass Menagerie (1944), A Steetcar Named Desire (1947), The Rose Tattoo (1951), and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955), these traits are found in his characters.

In 1940, Williams moved to Key West where he owned a house located at 1431 Duncan Street and until his death was fixture in Key West While on the island, he finished his play, A Streetcar Named Desire . In 1947 A Streetcar Named Desire won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In addition to its successful run on Broadway starring Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy, A Streetcar Named Desire was made into a movie staring Vivienne Leigh. A Streetcar Named Desire won four Academy Awards in 1951 including all of the acting awards except Best Actor for Leigh, Karl Malden and Kim Hunter.

Three doors down from Williams’ home on Duncan Street is the Rose Tattoo house. Parts of the film version of The Rose Tattoo were filmed at this house in Key West and the movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three including Best Supporting Actress for Anna Magnani.

Another of Williams plays made into a movie was the great Cat on A Hot Tin Roof staring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and in one of the best roles of his career, the great Burl Ives.

Williams died in 1983. The official cause of death was choking, but a cloud of mystery remains due to Williams use of alcohol throughout his life. He bequathed his entire catalog of work the University of the South in Sewannee, Tennessee, the alma mater of his grandfather.

Share on Facebook

We just came across an article in Boston.com on what famous Bostonians recommend doing on a perfect date night. Jerry Remy, the commentator for the Boston Red Sox and owner of Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill, summed it up best: I will go out on a limb and recommend taking a tour of Boston on Old Town Trolley. I have wanted to do that but haven’t done it yet . . . “Following that I would attend a Red Sox / Yankees game. What could be better than that?”

We can’t think of anything better than that, Jerry. Well, except ending the evening with a Ghosts and Gravestones tour!

http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gallery/perfectnight?pg=2

Share on Facebook