The History of St. Augustine Shores

In the late 60’s, early 70’s, Frank and Robert Mackle planned a community to be called The St. Augustine Shores. The Mackle Brothers formed the Deltona Corporation to develop and manage this community located 4.5 miles south of “The old city of St. Augustine," the oldest permanent settlement in North America.

The Deltona Corporation started clearing 2020 acres of land for development, leaving many beautiful native Florida trees to add character to the community. Deltona issued advertisements in many newspapers in the Middle and North East quadrants of the United States. The ads talked of the new community and showed several model homes on Shores Boulevard, a dirt road adjacent to US 1. Unit 1 had a special police patrol to provide safety to the Shores first residents.

When the Shores was first developed one had to travel North on US 1 to reach stores, gas stations, movie theatres and financial institutions. The first Bus Service providing transportation to the residents South of the City of St. Augustine was initiated in 1972.

The Deltona Corporation dedicated several parcels of land for an elementary school and worship facilities. Today many residents of the Shores enjoy the convenience of attending Hartley Elementary and even attend church services right in their own community.

In 1970 central water mains were installed to make fresh water available to every Shores resident. The Shores 18-hole Golf Course was in the planning stages and was to open in 1974.

In 1974 a new telephone service offered touch-tone, rapid calling, call forwarding and conference calls to Shores residents.

The above black and white photograph was taken in January of 1973. Notice the water fountain and the absence of the lush foliage which now exists at the entrance.

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