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By the late 19th century, St. Augustine was rapidly transformed into a prominent leisure destination, largely due to the efforts of industrialist Henry Flagler. After establishing a railroad to Florida and erecting luxurious hotels, Flagler revolutionized the landscape of St. Augustine. The Ponce de León Hotel, completed in 1887, epitomized this shift, featuring the first hotel constructed entirely of poured concrete, alongside modern amenities such as electric lighting sourced from Thomas Edison.