Florida's Historic Coast Travel Planner 2016 | Page 7

Sunrise at Castillo San Marcos Where Nature Meets History The Castillo de San Marcos The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. After 9 wooden forts designed to protect St. Augustine were burned by invaders, the Spanish militia took on the monumental task of constructing a stone fort that would protect the city and its treasury from pirates, the British and other attackers. The Castillo is made from coquina, a locally sourced stone-like compound made of shell and limestone. The use of coquina as the building material for both the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas created a fortress that was nearly indestructible. Construction of this stone Castillo began in 1672 and took 23 years to complete. This stronger fortress was never taken in battle. The Castillo played a pivotal role in protecting Spanish St. Augustine from the 1700s to the late 1800s . Castillo de San Marcos Fort Matanzas In 1924, the Castillo, or Fort Marion as it was known at the time, was declared a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge. He signed a proclamation that also designated Fort Matanzas a national monument Fort Matanzas Fort Matanzas, located on the intracoastal waterway south of St. Augustine, was built by Spanish soldiers as the back door protecting the city by preventing the British sailing through Matanzas Bay from invading St. Augustine. Today Fort Matanzas has grown to a park of almost 300 acres and features walking trails, picnic areas, small tidal beaches and of course the fort located on Rattlesnake Island, which visitors get to by ferry. State and County Parks TOP PHOTO: JAMES CALDWELL Like the national parks, state and county parks on Florida’s Historic Coast are cherished playgrounds for visitors of all ages. Find your park, explore and enjoy! FloridasHistoricCoast.com 5 SJVCB_151200_ANNIVERSARY.indd 5 11/18/15 3:27:25 PM