St. Augustine, FL Air Conditioner Repair Services and Installation

Florida’s northeast coast is home to St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement on the U.S. mainland and a fascinating lens through which to view Spanish, French, British, African-American and American history in the New World. With a population recently estimated at 13,407 as well as millions of visitors each year, St. Augustine combines this rich heritage with generous portions of Florida sunshine, hospitality and sandy beaches.

Colonial History

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon was the first European to discover Florida and claimed it for Spain in 1513. No successful settlement occurred, however, until 1565 when Pedro Menéndez de Avilés arrived in the St. Augustine area to establish a base of attack against French explorers attempting to colonize the region. He chose its name after initially sighting land on St. Augustine of Hippo’s feast day and, within a short time, ousted the French from a nearby settlement known originally as Fort Caroline. St. Augustine became a military and missionary outpost that was to experience attacks from French and Native allied forces as well as English privateers like Sir Francis Drake and, later on, British forces from Georgia and the Carolinas. The area nonetheless remained Spanish territory until the Treaty of Paris in 1763 ceded Florida to Britain. The 1783 Treaty of Paris then gave St. Augustine and the rest of Florida back to Spain, which controlled it until relinquishing the territory to the United States in 1821. Andrew Jackson became the first governor of the Florida territory in 1822, and it became a state in 1845.

Civil War and Beyond

Union soldiers occupied St. Augustine during the Civil War despite Florida joining the Confederacy. After the war, free former slaves founded Lincolnville, one of a number of historic districts in St. Augustine. St. Augustine entered the grand resort era in 1886 when a former partner of Standard Oil’s John D. Rockefeller, Henry Flagler, established a railroad link to northeast cities. Flagler went on to build three lavish hotels that established St. Augustine as a popular winter tourist destination. Restoration efforts in the 20th century enabled St. Augustine to feature its colonial history as a tourist attraction. St. Augustine’s significant role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s also solidified the city’s enduring place in African American history.

Enjoying St. Augustine’s Attractions

For its gracious beauty, Flagler College, whose centerpiece is one of Henry Flagler’s former grand hotels, ranks high among the country’s four-year liberal arts schools and is worth a visit. Castillo de San Marcos, the nation’s only surviving 17th century fort, offers a well-preserved look at the architecture and military history of the city’s first Spanish period. For a different historical perspective, try the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum or the Lightner Museum featuring splendid Victorian-era decorative artifacts.

Where to Find the Best Air Conditioning Service

St. Augustine’s humid summers are easier to enjoy when you can come home to cool, comfortable indoor air. For air conditioning repairs, installations and maintenance as well as all your heating and air quality needs, Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help. Since 1975, our family business been delivering superior service to customers in St. Augustine and the greater Jacksonville area with the technical expertise and impeccable customer service you deserve.

Expertise and Equipment to Do the Job Right

Ocean State’s trained and certified professionals are experienced in all major types and brands of heating and cooling equipment. We’re a Factory Authorized Dealer for Carrier, and we’re certified to work on all major brands like Trane, Mitsubishi, Bryant, Tempstar, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, Ruud and York. We’ve earned the trust of manufacturers and are able to offer the most up-to-date systems together with full warranties and financing options with approved credit. For all your heating, cooling and air quality needs, we invite you to call us today!