Spanish Florida

Mission Nombre de Dios: Where America’s First Thanksgiving Began

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Still pond near the Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Florida, with trees mirrored on the water in the quiet morning light.

Some places announce themselves with open doors, guided tours, and gift shops buzzing with voices.Others ask you to slow down, stand outside the gate, and listen harder. The Mission Nombre de Dios is one of those places. We arrived early—too early, as it turned out. The gates were still closed, the gift shop locked, and … Read more