August 8 2020
History’s Highlight
la Leyenda Negra
"Black Legend" is the accumulated traditions of propaganda and Hispanophobia accord-ing to which
Spanish imperialism is regarded as cruel, bigoted, exploitative and self-righteous in excess of the
reality. - Dr. Charles Gibson (1958)
Perhaps the most effective weapon against Spain in its 16th century world
dominance was a public relations campaign, la Leyenda Negra, the Black
Legend.
The term was coined by Julián Juderías in his 1914 book La leyenda negra y
la verdad histórica (The Black Legend and Historical Truth), to describe the
allegedly biased depiction of Spain and Spaniards as "cruel", "intolerant" and
"fanatical" in anti-Spanish literature starting in the 16th century.
The Black Legend propaganda is said to be influenced by national and
religious rivalries as seen in works by early Protestant historians and Anglo-
Saxon writers, describing the period of Spanish imperialism in a deliberately
negative way.
One of the strongest and earliest supporters for the Legend was the
Englishman John Foxe, author of the Book of Martyrs (1554). Other critics of
Spain included Antonio Pérez, the fallen secretary of King Philip II of Spain.
Pérez fled to England, where he published attacks on the Spanish monarchy
under the title Relaciones (1594).
These books were extensively used by the Dutch during their fight for
independence from Spain, and taken up by the English to justify their piracy and wars against the Spanish.
Foxe's book was among Sir Francis Drake's favorites; Drake himself was and is regarded by the Spaniards
as a cruel and bloodthirsty pirate.
The two northern nations were not only emerging as Spain's rivals for worldwide colonialism, but were also
strongholds of Protestantism while Spain was the most powerful Roman Catholic country of the period.
Former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, a student of Spanish colonial history, in his Coronado and
our Spanish Legacy: To the Inland Empire, noted, “Only once since the invention of the printing press has
a successful campaign of defamation lasting centuries been waged against an entire people.
“That nation is Spain, and that campaign of calumny - known to modern historians as the ‘Hispanophobia
Black Legend’ - made Span-iards pariahs and demeaned the character of the Spanish people. This myth, I am
convinced, has influenced earlier generations of Americans to cast a cold eye on the achievements of our
Spanish pioneers.”
Two hotels seek a dozen wall signs
Current sign zone was created for Flagler dorms
The City Commission Monday will hear a report on the
current building wall signage zone and consider requests
from two hoteliers for a total of twelve signs on their
Prawn Street hotels.
The regular commission meeting begins at 5 pm through
Communication Media Technology (CMT) and in the
Alcazar Room and is live streamed on CoSA.TV.
“Both the Hilton Hotel at 10 Prawn Street and Marriott
Hotel at 5 Prawn Street have submitted plans which show
wall signs on the top floor of their hotels,” says Planning
and Building Director David Birchim, “but they cannot
obtain a sign permit for these signs unless the boundaries
of Commercial Sign Zone 4 are amended to include these
properties.”
A Homewood Suites by Hilton is under construction
while a Marriott’s Hidden Harbor is under review for permitting.
“The current boundaries of Commercial Sign Zone 4 are to the northeast of these properties and they include
the Flagler College Dormitories on Malaga Street and the City Fire Station on Malaga Street,” Birchim says.
Zone 4 “was created for the Flagler College dorms on Malaga Street,” Birchim.
Both Commissioners Nancy Sikes-Kline and Roxanne Horvath raised concerns at the commission’s last
meeting that adjusting the sign code could result in a proliferation of commercial building wall signs. Horvath
commented she thought the Flagler signage was approved because it is an historic property - the former East
Coast Railway offices.
Commission to consider
memorial relocation site
City Manager John
Regan will recommend
to the City
Commission Monday a
final site at the Trout
Creek Fish Camp for
the Confederate
Soldiers Memorial.
“A proposal from Mr.
Randy Ringhaver
offers Trout Creek Fish
Camp located at 6550
FL-13 N. St., in St.
Johns County, as more
than just a location to place the memorial,” says a city media
release.
“At Mr. Ringhaver's expense, the Trout Creek offer includes
building a park setting with lighting, sidewalks, and seating
so that the memorial can be visited for generations to come.
Additionally, the foundation will be constructed by Mr.
Ringhaver.”
Since the commission’s June 22 decision to relocate the
monument the Veteran's Administration denied requests to
relocate the memorial to the St. Augustine or any other
national cemetery due to regulations, the Military Museum of
North Florida in Green Cove Springs would be a more
expensive move, and an offer from a private landowner in
western St. Johns County would require payment from
individuals wishing to pay respects at the memorial and by
appointment only.
An executed contract with New York-based Progressive
Construction includes a base contract to move the memorial
either to temporary storage at the City Public Works
compound in West Augustine if a commission decision is not
made Monday, or to the final location.
Mobilization and relocation could take in 3-4 weeks. City
archeologists have conducted a preliminary investigation and
believe the memorial to be in a stable position to move. Once
the memorial is removed from its current site, the City's
archaeology team will conduct further investigations
underground and in the surrounding area.
Wiles to be honored
with naming of park
Herbie and Annette Wiles will be
recognized for their years of service
to the community with the naming
of the park across the street from
their Bay View Drive home Herbie
and Annette Wiles Park.
A resolution goes before
commissioners for approval at
Monday’s City Commission
meeting.
Herbie, who passed away last year
at the age of 92, founded Herbie
Wiles Insurance, served for 12 years
as a county commissioner, was first
chairman and charter member of the
Northeast Florida Regional Planning
Council, and served with numerous
city organizations.
His wife of 72 years, Annette
served with the former Florida
Department of Public Welfare and as
a social worker for students in the
Blind Department at the Florida
School for the Deaf and the Blind.
And was active with the Junior
Service League and Woman’s
Exchange among civic services.
Photo: Annette and Herbie Wiles
as Herbie received the Order of La
Florida Award from Mayor Joe
Boles in 2013
In the mail
(Ref Pizzalley stories in Report July 29 and August 5) The store next door to Maronel’s was the Western
Auto Associate Store, owned by my parents (Albert and Gina Spiller) and before that Vincent and Ione
Amato. It was sold and closed in the late 1970s. It now houses the Prohibition Kitchen Restaurant &
Bar. There was a parking lot behind the store and many people cut through the store to get to St George
Street. Daddy called the “cut through” Western Alley. GS Paaso
Commission decision sought
on derelict historic property
Commissioners will
be asked to decide
Monday whether to
accept a deed in lieu of
foreclosure on the
home of a former
regional leader in
African American
education.
A pending
foreclosure action is
scheduled for a case management hearing on the historic but
derelict property at 52 Spring Street on August 12 and
Assistant City Attorney Denise May is seeking City
Commission direction to advise the Court.
The property is significant as the home of black educator
James B. Bryant, who taught in St. Johns County, Duval,
and Nassau, ultimately becoming principal of the school
bearing his name in Yulee.
Last year the commission authorized stabilization of
unsafe and faulty metal roofing at the property and closed
the code enforcement complaint with fines and costs of
$59,175. An outstanding mortgage due with interest is
$175,000 and there are outstanding back taxes of
$14,578.34. A trust for the property would be willing to
negotiate the mortgage amounts.
The St. Johns County Property Appraiser lists a just
market value of $224,105.
A structural report showing substantial structural issues
raises the question of whether the structure can be restored.
City board positions open
City Clerk Darlene Galambos has announced upcoming
board term expirations and vacancies:
Civil Service Board - term expiration, Les Stern. He’s
eligible for reappointment and has submitted an
application.
Board of Trustees 1977 City Employees' Retirement
System - vacancy, Warren Butler has resigned.
Planning and Zoning Board - term expirations, Jon
Benoit and Karen Zander. Benoit has submitted an
application for reappointment.
Find an application form for any city board here.
Founder’s Day ceremony in September is canceled
Out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19, the Diocese of St. Augustine has decided to cancel plans
for the annual celebration of Founder’s Day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission
Nombre de Dios.
“We remain open to the public daily and have taken the St. Augustine pledge to support our city and all
efforts to ensure the safety of our guests,” said Jon Cares, director of operations for the shrine.
The shrine gift shop and Mission Museum are open 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 4
pm on Sundays.
Founder’s Day, originally planned for Saturday, Sept. 5, celebrates the founding of St. Augustine with a
reenactment of the landing of the Spanish at the mission grounds, followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop
Felipe Estévez.
On Sept. 8, 1565, Don Pedro Menéndez de Aviles founded the city and Father Francisco Lopez celebrated
the first Mass. This year marks 455 years since the founding of the city of St. Augustine.
