 Castillo de San Marcos National Monument |
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| Location: | St. Augustine, Florida |
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| Area: | 320 acres (1. A National Monument in the United States is a Protected area that is similar to a National Park except that the President of the United States St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the 29 km²) |
| Built/Founded: | 1672-95 |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1924 |
| Visitation: | 600,252 (in 2005) |
  Castillo de San Marcos in Florida
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The Castillo de San Marcos is a Spanish built fort located in the city of St. Augustine, Florida, United States. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the It was known as Fort Marion from 1821 until 1942, and Fort St. Mark from 1763 until 1784 while under British control.
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Early history
The city of St. Augustine was founded by the Spanish in 1565. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. Over the next one hundred years, the city was defended by nine wooden forts. Following the 1668 attack of the English pirate Robert Searle, it was decided by the Queen Regent of Spain, Mariana, that a masonry fortification be constructed to protect the city. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Mariana is a poem written by Lord Alfred Tennyson in 1830. "Mariana of the Moated Grange" first appears in William Shakespeare In October 1672 construction began on the fort that would become the Castillo de San Marcos.
Construction
The Castillo is a masonry star fort made of a stone called "coquina", literally "little shells", made of ancient shells that have bonded together to form a type of stone similar to limestone. Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar, and the term "masonry" can also refer to the units themselves A star fort or trace italienne is a Fortification in the style that evolved during the age of Black powder, when cannons came For the variety of clam see Donax. Coquina ( Spanish, "cockle" koʊˈkiːnə is an incompletely consolidated Limestone is a Sedimentary rock composed largely of the Mineral Calcite ( Calcium carbonate: CaCO3 Workers were brought in from Havana, Cuba, to construct the fort. Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la The coquina was quarried from Anastasia Island across the bay from the Castillo, and ferried across to the construction site. For the variety of clam see Donax. Coquina ( Spanish, "cockle" koʊˈkiːnə is an incompletely consolidated Anastasia Island is an island off the northeast Atlantic coast of Florida in the United States. Construction lasted twenty-three years, being completed in 1695.
First test
In 1670, Charles Town (modern-day Charleston, South Carolina) was founded by the British. Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. Being just two days sail from St. Augustine, this was one of the events that spurred the fort's construction. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. In November 1702, forces under orders from Governor James Moore of Charles Town, set sail from Carolina in an attempt to capture the city. Colonel James Moore (c 1650&ndash1706 was the British colonial Governor of South Carolina between 1700 and 1703. The Province of Carolina from 1663 to 1712, was a North American British proprietary Colony, controlled by eight English noblemen
Upon their arrival at St. Augustine, the British laid siege to the city. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. All of the city's residents, some 1,200 people, along with all of the fort's soldiers, some 300, remained protected inside the wall of the fort for the next two months during the attack.
The British cannon had little effect on the walls of the fort. The coquina was very effective at absorbing the impact of the shells, allowing very little damage to the walls themselves. For the variety of clam see Donax. Coquina ( Spanish, "cockle" koʊˈkiːnə is an incompletely consolidated The siege was broken when the Spanish fleet from Havana, Cuba arrived, trapping the British in the bay. Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading The British were forced to burn their ships to prevent them from falling into the Spaniards' hands, and march overland back to Carolina. The Province of Carolina from 1663 to 1712, was a North American British proprietary Colony, controlled by eight English noblemen As they withdrew, they set fire to the city of St. Augustine, burning much of it to the ground. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States.
Second period of construction
After the siege of 1702, the Castillo underwent a period of reconstruction. Beginning in 1738, under the supervision of Spanish engineer Pedro Ruiz de Olano, the interior of the fort was redesigned and rebuilt. Interior rooms were made deeper, and vaulted ceilings replaced the original wooden ones. The vaulted ceilings allowed for better protection from bombardments and allowed for cannon to be placed along the gun deck, not just at the corner bastions. The new ceilings required the height of the exterior wall to be increased from 26 to 33 feet
Second British siege
Tensions between Great Britain and Spain had been on the rise for years, and in 1739 Great Britain declared war on Spain. The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The conflict was known as the War of Jenkins' Ear. The War of Jenkins' Ear was a conflict between Great Britain and Spain that lasted from 1739 to 1748 As part of the war, British General James Oglethorpe laid siege to the Castillo and the city of St. Augustine. James Oglethorpe (December 22 1696 &ndash June 30 1785 was a British general a Philanthropist, and was the founder of the colony of Georgia. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. Governor Manuel de Montiano, the Spanish governor of St. Augustine, prepared the defenses of the Castillo and the Spanish colony. Oglethorpe set out from the newly-created colony of Georgia and invaded Spanish-held land. The Province of Georgia (also Georgia Colony) was one of the Southern colonies in British North America. After capturing the Spanish outposts of Fort San Diego, Fort Pupo, Fort Picolata and Fort Mose, he marched his troops toward St. Augustine. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States.
General Oglethorpe landed his troops on Anastasia Island across the inlet from the Castillo and the city. James Oglethorpe (December 22 1696 &ndash June 30 1785 was a British general a Philanthropist, and was the founder of the colony of Georgia. He began firing on the Castillo in hopes that a sustained bombardment and blockade would force the governor of Florida to surrender. However, a small vessel managed to get through the blockade by evading the lone British ship guarding the Matanzas Inlet to the south of Anastasia Island and set sail for Havana, Cuba. Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading When they returned, they found that the ship guarding the inlet had gone, allowing supplies to be brought to the Castillo without opposition. The coquina walls of the Castillo once again withstood British bombardment, and on the morning of the 38th day of the siege the British withdrew their forces from the area. For the variety of clam see Donax. Coquina ( Spanish, "cockle" koʊˈkiːnə is an incompletely consolidated
British occupation
In 1763, the British finally managed to take the Castillo, but not by force. As a provision of the Treaty of Paris (1763), Britain gained all of Florida in exchange for returning Havana and Manila to Spain, captured during the Seven Years' War. The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on February 10, 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading The City of Manila Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Seven Years' War (1756&ndash1763 involved all of the major European powers of the period causing 900000 to 1400000 deaths On July 21, 1763, the Spanish governor turned the Castillo over to the British. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1763 ( MDCCLXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a
The British would make a few changes to the fort, most notably its name, becoming Fort St. Mark. With Britain being the dominating power in North America, it was not felt that the fort was needed to be kept in first rate condition. This attitude was prevalent until the outbreak of the American Revolution. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots"
During the war, St. Augustine became the capital of the British colony of East Florida. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. East Florida was originally a part of Spanish Florida. Under the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1763, which ended the Seven Years' War, Spain ceded Improvements were begun on the fort, in keeping with its new role as a base of operations for the British in the south. The gates and walls were repaired and several rooms had second floors added to increase the housing capacity of the fort. The Castillo saw action during the American Revolution mainly as a prison, holding several patriots captured in Charleston when it was taken by the British. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Major operations from St. Augustine were kept under control by the actions of the Spanish, who had declared war on Britain in 1779. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States. Bernardo de Gálvez, governor of Spanish Louisiana, attacked several British held cities, capturing all of them. Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid Viscount of Galveston and Count of Gálvez (Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid vizconde de Gálveztown y conde de Gálvez ( July 23, 1746 His actions kept the British occupied in the south, never letting them organize any major actions against the Americans from the Castillo.
At the end of the war, the Second Treaty of Paris returned Florida to Spain. The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, and approved by the Congress of the Confederation on January 14, 1784, formally Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. On July 12, 1784, Spanish troops returned to St. Augustine. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 1784 ( MDCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States.
Second Spanish occupation
When Florida was returned to Spanish control, they found a much changed territory. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Many Spaniards had left Florida after the hand over to Britain, and many British citizens stayed after the hand over back to Spain. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Many border problems arose between Spanish Florida and the new United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Spain had changed the name of the fort back to the Castillo de San Marcos, and continued to build upon the improvements that Britain had made to the fort in an effort to strengthen Spain’s hold on the territory. However, due to increased pressure from the United States and several other factors, in 1819, Spain signed the Adams-Onís Treaty, ceding Florida to the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819 settled a border dispute in North America between the United States and Spain. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
First American period
Upon the hand over to the United States, the Americans changed the name of the Castillo to Fort Marion. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Structurally, little was changed to the fort during this time. Many storerooms were converted to prison cells, due to their heavy doors and barred windows. Also, part of the moat was transformed into a battery as part of the American Coastal Defense System. During the Second Seminole War, Chief Osceola was jailed at the fort in 1837. The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between various groups of Native Americans collectively known as Osceola (1804 &ndash January 20, 1838) was a war chief of the Seminole in Florida. Many other Native American tribal peoples were held at the fort in later years. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States
The Confederate period
In January, 1861, Florida seceded from the United States in the opening months of the American Civil War. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Union troops had withdrawn from the fort, leaving only one man behind as caretaker of the fort. In January 1861, Confederate troops marched on the fort. The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 The Union soldier manning the fort refused to surrender it unless he was given a receipt for it from the Confederacy. During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty-three The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 He was given the receipt and the fort was taken by the Confederacy without a shot. The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 Most of the artillery in the fort was then sent to other forts, leaving the fort nearly defenseless.
Second American period
The fort was taken back by Union forces on March 11, 1862 when the USS Wabash entered the bay, finding the city evacuated by Confederate troops. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1862 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Monday Pre-Civil War service Wabash – the first US Navy ship to bear that name -- was laid down on 16 May 1854 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 The city leaders were willing to surrender in order to preserve the town, and the city and the fort were retaken without firing a shot. Throughout the rest of the fort's operational history, it was used as a military prison. During the 1880s and 1890s many Native Americans were imprisoned in the fort during the American expansion westward. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States In 1898, over 200 deserters from the Spanish-American War were imprisoned at the fort.
This marked one of the last actions at the fort as an operational base. In 1900, the fort was taken off the active duty rolls after 205 years of service, under five different flags. In 1924, the fort was designated a National Monument and in 1933 it was transferred to the National Park Service from the War Department. A National Monument in the United States is a Protected area that is similar to a National Park except that the President of the United States The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation The United States Department of War, sometimes also called the War Office, was the department of the United States government 's executive branch In 1942, in honor of its Spanish heritage and the fact that the Spanish were the ones that built it, the name of the fort was changed back to the Castillo de San Marcos. As an historic property of the National Park Service, the National Monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The Castillo is co-managed with Fort Matanzas National Monument. Created in 1924 Fort Matanzas National Monument is a United States National Monument run by the National Park Service. In 1975, the Castillo was designated an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Since being transferred to the Park Service, the Castillo has been a tourist attraction occupying 2. 5 acres (101,000 m²) in downtown St. Augustine. St Augustine is the County seat of St Johns County, Florida, in the United States.
External links
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Description of "Fort Marion" from an 1867 travelers guide
- Castillo's Historic Civil Engineering Landmark information
- Other St. Augustine Attractions, Hotels, and Restaurants
- Take a 3D Tour of the Castillo, right in your browser.
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