Located 18 miles southwest of St. Augustine, the small town of Hastings serves as the county's agricultural center. Hastings actually had its genesis as a garden planted in the late 1800s when Henry Flagler was building grand hotels in St. Augustine for wealthy visitors. Flagler convinced Thomas Hastings to develop a large farm that could grow winter vegetables for the enjoyment of hotel guests. Known as the potato capital of Florida, the community has retained its rural atmosphere. In addition to potatoes, the area harvests other vegetable crops and benefits from ornamental horticulture, timber, and livestock interests. Highlights in this unusual town include picturesque old farmsteads, bustling new agricultural operations, the Hastings town center, and the vintage St. Ambrose parish.