Historic Tours of Flagler College

Historic Tours of Flagler College showcase the architectural heritage and fascinating history of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a nationally designated historic landmark that Henry Flagler built in 1887. Flagler's Legacy Tours offers tours of select areas of the Ponce building.

The Former Hotel Ponce de Leon

Millionaire industrialist and developer Henry M. Flagler wanted to create an American Riviera in St. Augustine. His Hotel Ponce de Leon, now Flagler College, beautifully recaptures the architectural spirit of old Europe.

During its heyday, presidents, dignitaries, royalty, and members of society's upper crust walked the halls of the magnificent Hotel Ponce de Leon. Designed for entertainment, relaxation, and grandeur, Flagler's hotel incorporated all the modern conveniences available at that time, including electricity, running water, and a Thomas Edison clock—one of the first to be used in a public space.

The Ponce de Leon also contains the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows, with more than 79 windows decorating the dining hall, which is included on the tour.

Highlights of the Tour

Flagler's Legacy Tours start at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., daily, and last 45 to 60 minutes. This section of the building is accessible for those who use a wheelchair or who have difficulty with stairs. 

• Meet your guide in the Rotunda, formerly the Main Lobby of the hotel, at 74 King Street in St. Augustine.
• The tour will head back outside to the courtyard, where you will learn about the building's architecture, the modern features of the time, and the courtyard's fountain.
• Back inside, the tour focuses on the magnificent rotunda, with its 68-foot domed ceiling, supported by eight hand-carved oak caryatids.
• The dining room, still in use by the college, showcases hand-painted murals, illuminated by the soft light of the Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows.
• Finally, you will visit the Flagler Room. That room, the former Women's Grand Parlor, features Austrian crystal chandeliers, furniture, and artwork that were used and displayed in the Ponce de Leon Hotel.

Learn more tour information, and purchase tickets on their website.

While nothing can compete with taking one of the tours, a virtual tour is available on Flagler's website. 

Tour Schedules

The former Ponce de Leon Hotel is now the main building on an active college campus. They strive to offer tours daily, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 pm. Schedules may change, and tours may not be available on certain days.

Visit the Rotunda

If you can't book a tour, you may still view the courtyard and step into the lobby and rotunda of the former hotel when the property is open to the public. The rotunda showcases the Spanish Renaissance architecture of the Gilded Age hotel. In addition to the architectural elements, the college has installed new visitor kiosks highlighting Henry Flagler, the staff employed at the hotel, the visits of three presidents, and the amazing Tiffany stained glass windows.