Casa Monica

May 1887: Henry Flagler sells land to Bostonian amateur architect, Franklin W. Smith, on which Smith builds The Casa Monica Hotel. January 1, 1888: Smith opens hotel with only three guests registered. April 20, 1888: Henry Flagler purchases Casa Monica and "all fixtures, furnishings, silver, hardware, linen, bedding, parlor, hall, dining room, and kitchen furnishings and all other chattels," for $325,000. Flagler changes the name of the hotel to "Cordova." 1888-1902: Hotel thrives with many return guests, parties, balls, fairs, and charity activities. 1902: Construction of bridge between Cordova and Alcazar; hotel changed name to "Alcazar Annex." 1903: The Alcazar and the Cordova considered as one hotel. The Alcazar was advertised as "enlarged and redecorated." Spring 1932: Cordova closes its doors. July 1945: Bridge between Cordova and Alcazar torn down. February 13, 1962: St. Johns County Commission votes to purchase the Cordova to be used as a county courthouse. Price is $250,000. 1964: Significant renovation begins as The Cordova is converted to the courthouse. May 29, 1968: St. Johns County Courthouse is dedicated. February 21, 1997: Richard C. Kessler of The Kessler Enterprise, Inc. of Orlando purchases the St. Johns County Courthouse with intent to return the building to a luxurious hotel. December 10, 1999: Richard C. Kessler opens the doors to the Casa Monica Hotel. April 2001: First official royal visit to St. Augustine - King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia visit the Casa Monica. July 2001: Casa Monica Becomes one of a handful of hotels in Florida to receive the coveted Four-Diamond Award from AAA. September 2001/2002/2003: Casa Monica unites the community for benefits. In 2001, the residents of St. Augustine joined the staff of The Casa Monica in raising more than $85,000 for the NYC Fire & Rescue Workers Fund. September 2003: The benefit draws an unprecedented 600 guests raising thousands for the local fire & police departments