By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
St. Johns County was founded on July 21, 1821. Along with Escambia County, it was one of the two original counties established in the state after Florida was ceded to the United States.
To mark the county’s 200th anniversary, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, community leaders, and partner agencies celebrated on July 21, 2021 with a birthday present fitting for the occasion — a historical time capsule. Local artist Isaac Outley, owner of The Driftwood Company, created a one-of-a-kind time capsule, donated in part by Flagler Health+, for this milestone. It will now decorate the halls of the County Administration building for the next 50 years.
Dozens of partner agencies, including the county’s two municipalities, the City of St. Augustine and the City of St. Augustine Beach, participated by placing an item they believed captured the current significance of their organizations and their impact on the community into the capsule. Items included the 2021 St. Augustine Amphitheatre show poster, a St. Johns County Public Library System library card, a commemorative St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office badge, a special St. Johns County Fire Rescue patch, the 2020 general election ballot, and many other significant items.
The time capsule will remain sealed until 2071, when it’s set to be opened during the county’s 250th anniversary. This year’s Board of County Commissioners hope the items placed inside will give future leaders a glimpse into what life was like in 2021 as well as offer a snapshot of the tremendous work that goes on in our community.
Photo courtesy St. Johns County
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, community leaders, and partner agencies celebrated the county’s 200th anniversary on July 21, 2021.
