ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Chuck's Big Adventure is traveling to Florida. His adventure will take him to some amazing beaches, beautiful homes, mermaid encounters and the fountain of youth.
Castillo de San Marcos
It is America's oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. That seems like just a nice historical perspective that adds an interesting angle to this imposing fort in St. Augustine, but consider this: Construction on the Castillo de San Marcos started more than 100 years before the American Revolution, and through war, severe weather, and 350 years of changing culture, it still stands — not protecting citizens anymore but serving as a reminder of a time most Americans know little about.
When this fort was built, Florida was a part of the Spanish Empire. In fact, the majority of the state's history is still, from an age standpoint, still under Spanish reign.
Jill Leverett, our park ranger guide on a Chuck's Big Adventure visit, made that point clear.
"This past Oct. 2, we celebrated our 350th groundbreaking day, so Oct. 2, 1672, is when they break ground for this fort. The city itself was already 107 years old by that time," Leverett said. "This is fort No. 10 for St. Augustine. There were nine forts made out of wood in different spots around town. That all got destroyed by various methods before Spain finally recognized the need for something a little sturdier here on the east coast of Florida and OK'd the money to build the Castillo."
"The fact that there is so much Spanish history here, it's something they never really learned about in their history classes. The stone the fort is made out of also comes as a surprise to a lot of people," Leverett said.
St. Augustine is America's oldest city of European descent, so it would make sense that the fort is also very old. The coquina stone was quarried in the area of present-day Anastasia State Park, which is on Anastasia Island. Spain also sent military stonemasons and engineers.
The Castillo’s four large, thick walls and bastions made it a formidable presence.
For those who lived here, the searing heat and humidity made it a miserable place to be. Touring the rooms within gave us the firm impression that it wasn't easy to stay in and live here, and it was almost impossible to get out.
The Castillo was busy at peace time, active during skirmishes with the British and the Civil War, and was active in housing Native American captives. In World War II, the Coast Guard even used it for a few years.
Castillo de San Marcos
The National Park Service has had responsibility of the Castillo since 1933. Each year, more than 20,000 Floridian school children tour the facility to learn about this fort and the tremendous impact it made for the Spanish, the British and for the United States.
A trip to the Castillo is a reminder that in this part of the country, the Spanish heritage is still older than U.S. heritage and will be for a few more years.
"By that time, by the 1810s, Spain's New World empire is on the decline, and they are pretty much bankrupt after the Napoleonic wars," Leverett said. "So, the U.S. government agrees to pay up to $5 million of Spain's debt to other people in exchange for Florida, and with Florida goes Saint Augustine and the Castillo."
It's interesting to remember that in this town, there are houses that are worth more than $5 million.
The history of Castillo de San Marcos is littered with violence during the past 350 years. Oddly though, it is a place of beauty and peace.
Standing on top of the structure and looking at downtown St. Augustine, especially on a breezy day, is a wonderful experience. Just to gaze at the town, the bay and imagine what it must have been like when this area was a remote colony is well worth the trip.
Spend a couple of hours here, and watch demonstrations about life in the fort to get the full impact.