HISTORY OF THE GROVE (continued):l

l23 and 25 Grove as well as the photography studio on Castillo Drive was sold by the Beaudoin children upon the death of their mother in the late 1990’s.  Mr. Beaudoin passed away in the late 1980’s.  The estate was purchased by Valerie Lee and her husband James Yocius in 2000.  Ms. Lee is now the owner of the homes, and lived there with her daughter Shelby until late 2005. Her Interior Design business is located in the former photography studio located on Castillo Drive

THE GROVE SUITES

In the early 1920’s the house at 25 Grove Avenue was owned by Edward F. Gillette, vice president of the St. Augustine Grocery Company, and his wife Katherine.  They lived in the home for many years and eventually it was purchased by the Beaudoin family for use as the photography studio until the building of his last location behind 25 Grove in the late 1970’s.

The Hotel San Marco was located in the lot just across from the Grove homes across Castillo Drive, it burned completely down in  1887’s.  During renovations Ms. Lee and her former husband found pieces of the silver ware, dishes, door knobs, salt shakers and other items that were from the San Marco Hotel. They are not sure what the items were doing at this location as they found boxes and boxes of the pieces, some speculate that the servants quarters and perhaps storage areas were also on that property.  A late 1800 map shows a birds eye view of the area and a building that looks like a servants quarters is located on the same lot as the Grove homes.  Also found during renovations was a cannon ball that has been dated to the mid 1700.

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