Tavern on the Bay is a privately owned restaurant in a Victorian home overlooking the bayfront of historic downtown
Saint Augustine.
The tavern was once the private home of William Diskmuits, built in 1917. Mr. Diskmuits was the first
president of Florida National Bank.
It is thought that during the building of the Castillo, this location was probably an open house area used for
construction storage or kilns for the making of tabby, a cement mixture of lime and crushed oyster shells.
In 1740, the area where you are sitting was in turmoil, as residents rushed to seek refuge inside the fort from the
invading British. The redcoats landed and immediately places the Castillo de San Marcos under a siege that lasted a
starving 38 days. During the Civil War, this area was occupied first by Confederates and secondly by Union troops.
In the years following the Civil War, maps indicate there were a couple of Flimsy clapboard structures on this site
which were most likely barns or single room dwellings.
In the 1890's the Bennett Hotel was built at this location and remained in operation until the 1950's.
When Warner Brothers filmed "Distant Drums," a 1950's movie about the Seminole War, the movie executives made their
headquarters at the Bennett Hotel. Gary Cooper, the star of the movie was lodged on this site during filming.
- 2 hours
- Scott and Sprout with guests Chris, Georgia, Scott and Kent.
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Georgia an employee and friend of PRGT got us permission for a tour/ mini investigation. We met after hours with
Kent who is the overnight maintenance man to have a tour and hear of the past experiences there.
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Georgia had told us of the time she was locked in the upstairs woman’s bathroom and after trying so hard to get out,
the door just simply opened.
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Sounds and movement are noticed in the attic.
