No change in solid waste collection schedule
Offices for the City of St. Augustine will be closed on Monday, June 19, 2023, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday, but solid waste collections will remain on their regular schedule.
Parking in city-owned parking lots and in city-owned on-street spaces is free on all national holidays, such as the actual day of Juneteenth, Monday, June 19; however, the Castillo de San Marcos and the Historic Downtown Parking Facility will enforce all parking fees and rules on both Sunday, June 18, and Monday, June 19.
Drivers are urged to confirm if a lot is owned by the City of St. Augustine and not a private operator, as many of those lots have strict towing policies. Parking will be enforced for all vehicles parked illegally, including in areas reserved for delivery, franchised sightseeing vehicles and taxis, or vehicles on sidewalks or against yellow curbs.
PHOTO
On December 31st, 1862, the community gathered together for watch night services to wait for news of the Emancipation Proclamation. Until the late 1920’s, churches in Lincolnville remembered and celebrated this by hosting a parade!
The Emancipation Proclamation was officially issued in St. Augustine on January 1, 1863 and read at the Governor's House Library (Governor’s House) by Union Officers.
After its reading, all slaveholders were ordered to release their slaves and allow them to gather in an area, that is currently The Collector, Luxury Inn & Gardens. At this location, there is a bell (pictured), symbolizing the 'bonds' of slavery being 'struck off', according to former St. Augustine slave, Mary Gomez. (Please note, this bell is located on private property.)
