Theft of Spanish bunting from St George Street attraction

The Oldest Wooden School House, built over 200 years ago, has been in Elaine Fraser’s family for generations. Her grandfather, Florida Senator Walter Fraser, served on the City Commission from 1933-1943, the last seven of those years as mayor. During that time he purchased the historic piece of St Augustine’s 450-year-old story.

In celebration of that anniversary, Fraser recently began decorating the attraction with handmade Spanish bunting. Unfortunately she attracted more than enthusiastic interest from visiting heritage tourists. Last week, someone helped themselves to a low-hanging piece of bunting that was decorating one of the street-level window boxes.

“We would like for the thief who stole the bunting to return it,” Fraser told Historic City News. “I suppose they didn’t notice the video surveillance camera directly overhead, but, if they will return the bunting to us now, there will be no questions asked.”

Fraser says that she is disappointed that this sort of vandalism would happen at a time when the community should be celebrating our Spanish founding.

During the time that the school was operated, the schoolmaster and his wife lived upstairs, above the small classroom. If that were still the case today, perhaps the thief would have been detected and arrested on the spot.

A police report was filed when the theft was discovered. If you have information about the identity or whereabouts of the persons responsible for this crime, or the location of the unique, handmade bunting, you can call 1-888-277-TIPS (8477), Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,000.00.