Learn How the Commercial
Trucking Insurance Experts at Independence Agency
Can Save your Company Thousands of Dollars!
Get A Quote
The
Importance of
Commercial Truck Insurance in Saint Augustine, FL
- Let's face it - truckers in America have always been the backbone of our great country. They still are in modern times. On any given day, thousands of trucks traverse our highways and local roads, delivering goods and products on time so that businesses and consumers have what they need to live life. And while commercial trucking can be an incredibly lucrative way to make a living and put food on the table, it can also be risky and expensive.
- Whether you're the owner of a fleet, an independent trucker, or have a business that uses big rigs to transport goods, you need commercial trucking insurance to protect you and your client's investments, shield you from liability, and more.
- That's where working with a reliable truck insurance agency comes into play. Unfortunately, for many commercial truck insurance providers, serving the needs of truckers is low on the proverbial totem pole. At Independence Insurance Agency, nothing could be further from the truth.
Service Areas
The Commercial Truck
Insurance Agency in Saint Augustine, FL You Can Trust
Much like you pride yourself on running a successful trucking business, Independence Insurance Agency prides itself on its years of experience providing truck insurance for hardworking men and women across the country. And in our experience, insurance rates for truckers are just too high - so high, in fact, that they eat away at their bottom line, making it more difficult to run a business and make a profit. Fortunately, at Independence Insurance Agency, we provide truckers the freedom they need from astronomically high insurance rates so they can stay on the road and keep driving America forward.
As one of the most trusted commercial trucking insurance agencies in the U.S., we understand the challenges that you face daily as a trucker. We also know how important it is to protect your business. That's why we go above and beyond to find you the best-priced coverage available, whether you're an operator, own a small fleet, a large fleet, or something in between.
We Put Truckers First Because Others Don't
Truckers across the country choose to work with Independence Insurance Agency because we put their needs first before anything else. As experts in transportation insurance, we proudly offer a range of quality insurance products that are both practical and affordable for them. Our industry-leading carriers provide coverage that caters to the unique challenges faced by the trucking industry, ensuring that your business is protected at all times.
At our core, we are committed to finding the best possible price for your coverage without compromising the quality of service you deserve. The truth is, we understand how essential truckers are to the United States and take pride in making their insurance experience more streamlined and affordable.
One way we do so is by simplifying the insurance process. Our transportation specialists take the time to understand your specific needs and budget to tailor a comprehensive plan that works for you. You won't ever have to worry about cookie-cutter plans or uninterested agents when you work with our commercial trucking insurance agency. We take an educational approach to ensure that the entire big rig insurance process is quick, painless, and easy to understand. If there's something you don't understand, we're happy to take the time to explain. After all, the success and safety of your business are on the line.
Looking to the future, we are committed to providing innovative new products that cater to the ever-changing needs of truck drivers. As your one-stop shop for commercial trucking insurance, we are dedicated to your success, one policy at a time.
If you're a commercial trucker looking to ensure your rig, you can rest easy knowing that Independence Insurance Agency provides:
- Affordable Trucking Insurance Plans for Any Budget
- Exemplary Customer Service
- Seasoned Transportation Specialists Who Customize Plans to Your Needs
- A+ Carriers Across the Country
- Simple, Easy Quote and Bind Process
- Multiple Insurance Carriers Quoted to Find You the Best Rates
- Truck Insurance for New Ventures
Call us or send us a message today to learn more about the best 18-wheeler insurance options for your trucking business.
The Commercial Truck
Common Types of Big Rig Truck Insurance in Saint Augustine, FL
At Independence Insurance Agency, we offer several types of insurance coverage for local, intermediate, and long-haul trucking needs. Here are just a few categories of trucking insurance coverage that our agency offers.
As the foundation of your insurance policy, liability coverage is required by law in most states in the U.S. It provides coverage for damage or injuries caused to properties or other people if your 18-wheeler is responsible for the crash. Without liability coverage, it's almost impossible to drive a truck or run a trucking business without major legal consequences.
Having physical damage coverage is an essential component that shouldn't be overlooked. This insurance is responsible for covering the expenses related to repairing or replacing your truck in situations such as accidents, theft, vandalism, and other damaging events. By having this coverage, you can rest assured that your business won't be affected significantly by unexpected incidents, and you can continue running your operations smoothly even in challenging times.
For trucking companies, the goods they transport are crucial to their operations. To protect these goods from damage, loss, or theft while in transit, cargo insurance is essential. This coverage provides much-needed peace of mind for both you and your clients, allowing you to reimburse clients for any losses sustained while protecting your reputation and brand identity.
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is designed to cover property damage or bodily injury that may occur during personal time when the driver/truck is not under dispatch. This coverage can be applied with or without a trailer and is added to a commercial policy as an endorsement.
While Independence Insurance Agency has built a reputation of excellence in serving the needs of truckers, we also offer general liability. Also known as Truckers General Liability, this coverage insures for bodily injuries or property damage that happen due to business activities that are NOT the cause of operating a truck. It covers accidents that occur in parking lots, rest stops, also while loading or unloading. General liability can also cover losses related to theft and vandalism. Most brokers and shippers will require this coverage to work with you.
Bobtail insurance is a type of coverage that is comparable to non-trucking liability, which is designed to offer protection when driving a truck without a trailer attached. This is commonly referred to as "bobtailing." With bobtail insurance, the tractor is covered at all times, even when it is not attached to a trailer, regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch.
Trailer interchange insurance is a must-have if you're involved in a trailer interchange agreement. This essential coverage offers protection for trailers owned by other parties that you're using under a contractual agreement. It covers damages caused by collisions, fire, theft, and vandalism, providing assurance to all parties involved.
Curious whether our commercial truck insurance agency in cityname, state offers additional coverage? The following options can be bound in your insurance policy:
- Business Interruption Insurance
- Reefer Breakdown Insurance
- Occupational Accident with Contract Liability Insurance
- Rental Reimbursement Insurance
- Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance
- Towing Insurance
- Electronics Insurance
- Much More
3 Safe Driving Tips to
Lower the Cost of Truck Insurance in Saint Augustine, FL
Keeping your drivers safe on the road is crucial not only for their own well-being but also for the safety of other motorists and the financial stability of your business. The Department of Labor has identified the trucking industry as one of the most hazardous sectors in the U.S. In fact, trucking and logistics fleets are known for their high injury and fatality rates. By improving how safely your truckers drive, you can help reduce expenses related to claim payouts, accidents, and insurance premium hikes.
Whether you own a large fleet or you're the owner and operator of a single rig, keep these safe driving tips in mind to help lower your insurance costs.
Implement Preventative Maintenance Plans
Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call Now
Practice Defensive Driving
This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
Call Now
Find Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call Now
Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call Now
This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
Call Now
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call Now
FAQs About
Independence Insurance Agency
If you're looking for a commercial trucking insurance agency for your business, chances are you have some questions - and we've got answers. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from truckers like you.
Why go with a "jack of all trades" when you can work with specialists who focus exclusively on transportation insurance? We have excellent relationships with major trucking insurance carriers and, as such, can provide the best assistance and reasonable rates.
Typically, companies will look at claims that date back three years or less.
We proudly work with more than 20 carriers to provide our clients with the most advantageous options at competitive prices, catering to the needs of owner-operators and big fleets alike.
Permit filings are typically done by insurance companies on the next business day. Federal (FMCSA) filings are completed online and updated immediately, while some states may take up to three weeks to process.
Independence Insurance Agency: Committed to the Trucking Industry
There's no question about it - you've got to protect your staff, your rig, and your trucking business with insurance. But choosing the right insurance partner isn't always easy. Thankfully, with Independence Insurance Agency by your side, you can rest easy knowing you're covered no matter where the road takes you. If you're in need of a commercial truck insurance agency in Saint Augustine, FL that caters to truckers like you, pick up the phone and contact one of our transportation specialists today. That way, you can get back on the road with confidence tomorrow.
Latest News in Saint Augustine, FL
City of St. Augustine seeks public input for King Street Improvement Project
Lucia Vitihttps://www.staugustine.com/story/news/local/2024/02/19/the-city-of-st-augustine-is-seeking-public-input-to-create-the-best-mile-in-florida/72640730007/
City of St. Augustine seeks public input for King Street Improvement ProjectHanson Professional Services, Inc. and Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc., engineering consultants, plan to review designs for creating a streetscape into the heart of America’s oldest city.Touted as “The Best Mile in Florida” in a recent press rele...
City of St. Augustine seeks public input for King Street Improvement Project
Hanson Professional Services, Inc. and Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc., engineering consultants, plan to review designs for creating a streetscape into the heart of America’s oldest city.
Touted as “The Best Mile in Florida” in a recent press release, the streetscape will lead from Malaga Street (west) to Charlotte Street (east). Livability, history and beauty are components being considered for enhancing the pedestrian and cyclist experience, along with creating a smoother and even improved traffic flow.
Plans are categorized by Malaga - plan A and Plan B; Central Section plans A and B; The Plaza Section Cathedral Place - One Lane and the Plaza Section Cathedral Place - Two Lane.
Two design concepts will be discussed:
Both plans include improving and expanding sidewalks and inserting pedestrian and vehicular scale lighting at intersections along with inserting mid-block crossings. Cabbage Palms (the Florida State tree) will provide shade. Improved street drainage and the placement of sharrows — road markings consisting of two inverted V-shapes above a bicycle indicating the direction for cyclists to use when the road is being shared with motor vehicles — are also included.
The projects also include improvement plans for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists at the Plaza de la Constitución (the plaza) and Cathedral Place.
Detailed project information can be found at https://www.mlhhub.com/
Go to https://www.mlhhub.com/engage to submit public comment via the project website through Friday, March 1. Submissions can as be sent via email/mail to Reuben Franklin, the city’s assistant manager, at rfranklin@citystaug.com; addressed to City Hall, Attn: Reuben Franklin, 75 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.
The meeting will be held in the Alcazar Room in City Hall.
Colossal 1,700-pound great white shark tracked near St. Augustine Beach, Florida on Leap Day
Kim Lucianihttps://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2024/03/01/great-white-sharks-florida-ocearch-mahone-ping-st-augustine-beach-coast/72803842007/
Duuunn Dun. Duuun Dun.The massive great white shark that pinged off the St. Johns County coast on Leap Day...
Duuunn Dun. Duuun Dun.
The massive great white shark that pinged off the St. Johns County coast on Leap Day might require "a bigger boat."
At 5:56 p.m. on Feb. 29, the nearly 14-foot, 1,700-pound animal, named Mahone by the OCEARCH scientists who tagged him, was tracked to the waters near St. Augustine Beach.
A ping means the satellite tag secured to the shark's dorsal fin broke the surface of the water long enough to send location information to trackers.
Mahone was tagged by OCEARCH researchers in 2020 and has traveled 17,986 miles since but, according to his tracker, he's only visited Florida once before. He traveled as far south as the Canaveral National Seashore in March 2022.
Here's what to know about white shark Mahone, OCEARCH and sharks in Florida:
More about OCEARCH white shark Mahone
Mahone was tagged off Lunenburg, Nova Scotia on Oct. 1, 2020.
At the time he was classified as a mature adult male, measured 13 feet, 7 inches long and weighed 1,701 pounds.
He is the largest shark tagged by OCEARCH in Canadian waters and was named after nearby Mahone Bay.
White shark facts
Here are some things to know about white sharks, according to NOAA Fisheries:
Are there great white sharks in Florida?
Yes. White sharks migrate south when the water gets cold and food sources become scarce up north, according to OCEARCH chief scientist Dr. Bob Hueter.
Think of them as the snowbirds of sharks.
Most of them tend to stay away from the beaches in continental shelf waters, Hueter said.
What does OCEARCH do?
OCEARCH is a nonprofit research organization studying the ocean's giants.
The group studies great white sharks and other keystone species essential for the health of the oceans.
OCEARCH recently finished up its 46th expedition, dubbed Expedition Southeast. It departed from Jacksonville on Nov. 17 and made its final docking in Morehead City, North Carolina on Dec. 15.
During the expeditions, researchers collected previously unattainable data on the animals' migrations, reproductive cycle, genetic status, diet, abundance, and more.
"If we lose the apex predator (sharks) then we lose all our fish and then there are no fish sandwiches for our grandchildren," OCEARCH founder Chris Fischer told the Courier Journal. "That's oversimplified, of course, but the idea is important because many shark species are threatened by overfishing and a demand for shark fins in Asia. Their dwindling numbers jeopardize ocean habitats."
Most shark attacks happen in Florida
There were 69 documented unprovoked shark attacks around the globe in 2023. The U.S. led the world with 36 attacks and Florida again was the state with the most bites at 16.
Florida shark attacks by county:
While the U.S. has the most attacks, South Africa has the most shark-related fatalities.
Since 1992, there have been 1,232 shark bites worldwide, according to data from floridapanhandle.com, with white sharks credited as the top biters.
Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization.
St. Augustine is Southern Living’s Best Small Town in Florida for 2024
Amanda Winklehttps://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/st-johns-county/st-augustine-is-southern-livings-best-small-town-florida-2024/KZYHERZZ6BC7NEM4JYDSV3PF2Y/
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Nation’s Oldest City has been -- yet again -- recognized among the best of the best.Southern Living revealed the results of its South’s Best Awards 2024 and St. Augustine was named the best small town in Florida....
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Nation’s Oldest City has been -- yet again -- recognized among the best of the best.
Southern Living revealed the results of its South’s Best Awards 2024 and St. Augustine was named the best small town in Florida.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The publication said St. Augustine’s rich history keeps visitors coming back for more:
“Sites like theCastillo de San Marcos, Fort Mose Historic State Park, Colonial Quarter, and Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park explore that history and invite visitors to learn more about the Ancient City’s rich past.”
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
Best Small Town in Florida wasn’t the only recognition that St. Augustine received from Southern Living’s South’s Best Awards. The Ancient City was also recognized as the best waterfront town in Florida.
Southern Living also shared the 22 Best Things To Do In St. Augustine, including places to eat, stay, and visit.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Here’s how Southern Living got the results for its South’s Best Awards:
“An online survey was conducted by third-party agency Proof Insights among Southern Living consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South for the South’s Best Awards 2024. The survey was fielded from July 12 to August 23, 2023, and had over 20,000 respondents.”
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Under busy Florida street, a 19th-century boat discovered where once was water
Matt Soergelhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/16/post-civil-war-boat-found-st-augustine-street/71203063007/
The humble, much-repaired wooden boat, about 28 feet long, with a flat bottom and single mast, had no doubt reached the end of its useful life when it was left in the mud at the edge of St. Augustine, Florida sometime in the second half of the 19th century.Whoever left it there probably took its mast, its rigging, anything that could have been useful, but might have left behind some coins — including one dating to 1869 — as well as part of an oil-fired lamp, a cut coconut shell that might have been used as a...
The humble, much-repaired wooden boat, about 28 feet long, with a flat bottom and single mast, had no doubt reached the end of its useful life when it was left in the mud at the edge of St. Augustine, Florida sometime in the second half of the 19th century.
Whoever left it there probably took its mast, its rigging, anything that could have been useful, but might have left behind some coins — including one dating to 1869 — as well as part of an oil-fired lamp, a cut coconut shell that might have been used as a cup and two leather shoes. Enough of the shoes remained that archaeologists could determine that there was one for someone's right foot and another for someone's left foot.
Eventually mud and water covered the boat, which helped preserve it, and it was further buried as fill was brought in to extend St. Augustine's old city to the east. At some point, a piling on a now-gone wharf was driven right through the vessel, probably as it lay unseen under the mud.
The boat was discovered recently less than a block from St. Augustine's current waterfront, just south of the Bridge of Lions, as crews worked on a drainage problem designed to ease chronic flooding in the area — which was, of course, water not too long ago.
That brought in archaeologists from SEARCH Inc. (Southeastern Archaeological Research), a cultural resource management research firm with an office in Jacksonville. The Florida Department of Transportation had sub-contracted with the company for the project because of the rich historic nature of St. Augustine, in the event of such a find.
They painstakingly excavated the boat, board by board. They finished late Wednesday, just before the heavy rainfall that moved in and would have certainly complicated the project, said James Delgado, a prominent maritime archaeologist who is now with SEARCH.
From Midway to St. Augustine
Delgado had recently been at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration command post in Silver Spring, Md., watching images of the aircraft carriers lost in the Battle of Midway in 1942, captured by robotic vehicles 18,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean.
Then he got a call about the find in St. Augustine and quickly flew down.
It was quite the contrast, he said: "Thousands of deaths and a battle that changed the world’s history, and from there I find myself 8 feet down in a trench working with my colleagues on this site."
It's all about the people connected to those finds, though, he said — whether it's a young sailor on a doomed carrier in the Pacific or the owners of that humble boat in St. Augustine.
The boat most likely dates to the second half of the 19th century and was built locally, probably by the people who owned and sailed it, Delgado said. They weren't professional boat builders, but they knew how to craft a vessel that could be used for fishing, oystering or carrying goods from place to place along what was then a bustling working waterfront.
Texas A&M student deathPolice investigating after Texas A&M student dies from third-floor balcony fall
"It had been hard-worked and sailed," he said.
For much of the transportation and commerce in the area, the waters were the main thoroughfares. And mall craft such as that one were “the delivery trucks of the 19th century," he said.
When it was unearthed, the vessel was missing several feet from its hull, leaving about 19 feet of its length in place. To remove it, the boat was taken apart board by board, and each board — which by now has the consistency of thick, water-soaked cardboard — was cataloged, mapped and photographed.
Everything was taken to a wet-storage vat at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum to further protect it from damaging dry air.
Archaeologists at the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program worked with SEARCH on the project, as did city archaeologist Andrea White.
Maternal health careMaternity units closing in Alabama: Pregnant women have to travel further for care
Archaeologist Ian Pawn, cultural resources coordinator with the regional Transportation Department office, said research will be done to determine if the boat can be conserved and possibly displayed to the public somewhere.
"What can we do to keep everything intact?" he said. "From there, we’d like to share it in some sort of way. We want to work very closely with the city of St. Augustine and some specialty archaeologists as well, so we can find it a good home and a place to share it.”
Where is the oldest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the world?
Frances Mulraneyhttps://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/oldest-st-patricks-day-world
The world’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day festival was in St. Augustine, Florida, some 420 years ago.Boston and New York have long laid claim to being the centers of Irish immigration that saw the very start of St. Patrick’s Day parades before they had even started in Ireland itself with start-up dates of 1737 and 1762 respectively.In truth, St Augustine in Florida beats them to the mark and is, in fact, home to the oldest ...
The world’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day festival was in St. Augustine, Florida, some 420 years ago.
Boston and New York have long laid claim to being the centers of Irish immigration that saw the very start of St. Patrick’s Day parades before they had even started in Ireland itself with start-up dates of 1737 and 1762 respectively.
In truth, St Augustine in Florida beats them to the mark and is, in fact, home to the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world. (Waterford in 1903 held the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland.)
According to research unearthed in Florida, St Augustine may have well over a hundred years on Boston and New York, holding its first St Patrick’s Day celebration in 1600 and its first parade in 1601.
The sensational information was uncovered in December 2017 by historian Dr. J. Michael Francis in a gunpowder expenditures log in Spain's Archivo General de Indias, or AGI. The documents reveal that spring festivities which included a feast day of San Patricio (St. Patrick) was held in the year 1600 in St. Augustine, Florida.
Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish!
"While artillery pieces often were fired to help guide ships safely across St. Augustine's protective sandbar, they were also fired during times of public celebrations and religious festivals," Francis wrote in his blog for PBS.
"In March of 1601, St. Augustine's residents gathered together and processed through the city's streets in honor of an Irish saint, who appears to have assumed a privileged place in the Spanish garrison town. Indeed, during these same years, St. Patrick was identified as the official 'protector' of the city's maize fields."
The professor and Chair of the Department of History and Politics at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, has studied the records on and off over the past 30 years and he was certainly surprised to discover this information on a St Patrick’s Day celebration written in Spanish in Florida.
"It was certainly a surprise ... it did not register the first time I looked through it. ... It was written in Spanish, and it took a few seconds before it actually hit me that this was a St. Patrick's Day parade/procession," Francis explained to Renee Unsworth from totallystaugustine.com.
"I don't know how much it will change the national perception (of St. Patrick's Day) which has evolved into something so unique. ... It certainly forces people to pause."
The news was also welcomed by retired City of St. Augustine archaeologist Carl Halbirt who was recently named Parade Marshal of the 2018 St. Augustine St. Patrick's Day Parade taking place on March 10.
Celebrate everything Irish this March with IrishCentral's global community.
"The history of St. Augustine, its diversity, and place in American (U. S.) heritage is often overlooked by people who do not live in Northeast Florida," Halbert said to totallystaugustine.com.
"Yet, it is a city of firsts and oldest in terms of the country's European ancestry. The discovery of this particular cultural tradition only adds to the city's mystic and place. The late historian Luis Arana stated that 'we have only scratched the tip of the iceberg' regarding the historical records (and I might add the city's buried archaeological record). Dr. Michael Francis's discovery of these documents adds to St. Augustine's cultural heritage."
From his research, Francis believes that the St Patrick’s Day parade in St Augustine was influenced by the Irish priest Richard Arthur.
“It is likely that Richard Arthur was responsible for the Irish saint’s short-lived prominence in St. Augustine,” he writes.
“When Arthur disappears from the historical records, so too do the references to the Irish saint, and soon thereafter, the memory of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and processions began to fade from public memory.
“Today, St. Patrick’s Day is one of St. Augustine’s most popular celebrations, but its early seventeenth-century origins have long been forgotten.”
While St Augustine could prove to be the oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in the world, as there was no continuation of the parade throughout the past 400 years, Boston and New York could still continue that they are the owners of the oldest continuous parade.
The first parade was held in New York on held on March 15, 1762, in Bowling Green in lower Manhattan. Before this time, St. Patrick’s Day was honored as a Catholic feast day on which a special Mass was attended and nothing more, but in a show of national pride, Irish soldiers within the British Army marched through Bowling Green in honor of their patron saint, with New Yorkers claiming that this would spark a trend that would result in the worldwide festivities we celebrate today.
Boston, on the other hand, could claim the first celebration but not the first St. Patrick’s Day parade. On March 17, 1737, as a gesture of solidarity among the city’s new Irish immigrants, Boston’s Irish community joined together in the festivities of their homeland.
Either way, all three locations in the US were hundreds of years before the first St Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland which was held in Waterford in 1903.
*This story was written in collaboration with Renee Unsworth, founder of totallystaugustine.com.
* Originally published in 2018, updated in March 2023.
Disclaimer:
