Castillo De San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine

FLORDIA - Located on the west shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. The fort was a prime target for attack by northern Georgia plantation owners. The fort is accessible to the public.


Castillo De San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine
Photo: Castillo De San Marcos National Monument

 

Castillo De San Marcos Is Made Of Seashells

Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. This historic landmark is located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida. Made of seashells, the Castillo is covered in seashells, which are unique to the area.



Castillo de San Marcos was initially built in 1696 by the Spanish. They made the walls from coquina, a mixture of limestone and seashells. During the British occupation, it was named Fort St. Mark. During the U.S. Army occupation, the fort was converted to Fort Marion. The fort remained in use until 1933 when it was deactivated. Today, it is a National Monument maintained by the National Park Service.

It Is The Oldest Masonry Fort In The Continental United States

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is the oldest masonry fort in the Continental United States. It was built in 1672 by the Spanish to defend the city from British incursions. It is also the oldest structure in St. Augustine, Florida.



The fort's early wooden versions were built for speed and cost. Nevertheless, they were prone to the fire arrows of Indians and the ravages of seasonal hurricanes. A wooden second floor was constructed inside the original wooden fort to house more supplies.

It Was Vulnerable To Attacks From Plantation Owners From Northern Georgia.

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a 17th-century fort that served as a military fort. During the Spanish-American War, it was an active defensive fort; during the western Indian war, it was a target for attacks by the Continental Army. Fortunately, the fort was spared from being destroyed during the war. In the early 18th century, it became a substantial storage facility for military supplies. Army engineers reconstructed the fort in 1842.

After the war, British control of St. Augustine ended, and Florida returned to Spain. The Spanish colonists were a welcoming community to immigrants from many different countries. As a result, the Castillo de San Marcos became a focal point for British military operations and the home of hundreds of British troops. However, despite the fort's strategic position, the town faced attacks from plantation owners from northern Georgia.

It Is Accessible

The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. It sits on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida. Today, visitors can tour the fort and view the historic buildings. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is open daily from nine to five. No pets are allowed.  You can also purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass and receive free admission for yourself and three guests. Parking is available for cars and buses. However, finding a spot in the parking lot, which is full of tour buses, is not always possible.