Villa Flora has been used for just about every purpose one could imagine. The villa began as a home, was used as a hotel, a restaurant, a school, offices and a chapel.

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Built in 1898 by Reverend O.A. Weenolsen, the Moorish revival house located on St. Geroge Street served as a winter home for Weenolsen and his wife. Due to the high water table within Florida, the house is built with a raised basement and is made entirely of St. Augustine's favorite medium, coquina!

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In 1906 the house was purchased by the Wood family, who used the residence as a hotel following Mr. Woods's death. During the 1930s the house was used as a restaurant, the Villa Flora Grill.

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In 1941 Sister Theresa Joseph Brown purchased the house for the Sisters of St. Joseph and used the basement as a kindergarten. The Sisters of St. Joseph still own the house today.

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Text by Clayton Junkins