The main gate of Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida. August 4, 2009.
After visiting Betsy’s brother, Ray, in Jacksonville, we headed south to Ormond Beach for Betsy’s birthday. We travelled through Saint Augustine, and, since we had some extra time, decided to stop at Castillo de San Marcos.
The Spanish started construction on Castillo de San Marcos in 1672. The detail and architecture of the fort are both distinctive and unique. Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry and the only existing 17th century fort in North America.
The outer walls of the fort. August 4, 2009.
The first 300 years of the existence of the fort were times of constant warfare as European countries vied for the economic wealth of the New World. The Castillo was attacked many times (mostly by the British) but was never captured.
The reconstructed city of St. Augustine, Florida. August 4, 2009.
The present National Park Service Monument consists of over 20 acres and includes a reconstructed section of the St. Augustine city wall.
Both Betsy and I enjoyed our visit to this, one of the oldest structures in the U. S. If you’re ever near St. Augustine visit the fort. We think you’ll enjoy it.
Tags: Florida, History, St. Augustine, Travels
Senior Moments 
August 13, 2009 at 7:31 am |
We have been to St. Augustine but didn’t visit the fort. Love the history from it.
August 13, 2009 at 7:51 am |
George: What a wonderful visit through your photos of the area.
August 13, 2009 at 9:19 am |
I love forts too and this is soooo old. Isn’t St Augustine the oldest city in the US? Out this way if it was built in the 1800s it is old. I would like to see something as impressive as that. MB
August 13, 2009 at 9:50 am |
Very interesting George and as always you take great shots!
August 13, 2009 at 10:29 am |
Nice informative post with great pics George.
August 13, 2009 at 12:08 pm |
Didn’t you just love St. Augustine? We spent a night there near the beach many years ago when our kids were toddlers. The town was very quaint at the time.
We never saw the fort so I’ve enjoyed seeing it through your photos.
August 13, 2009 at 1:28 pm |
I’m almost positive this is the place they featured on Ghost Hunters & said it’s HAUNTED! Interesting… to me, anyway! hehehe
August 13, 2009 at 1:28 pm |
Looks like a most inviting spot to visit!
August 13, 2009 at 1:54 pm |
Those are great photos and a great bit of a history lesson. This is another area that I want to visit and being Native Floridians, WE SHOULD have already been there!!!
August 13, 2009 at 6:08 pm |
Need to put this on my fl. list!! 🙂
August 13, 2009 at 10:01 pm |
Isn’t this place great? I have a special attraction to it. I have very few photographs of my father, because he died when I was two. I have some photos of him and my mother at the fort. I have visited there several times,and always go to the spot that appears to be where he was standing. I have photos of me and Jimmy in that same spot.
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August 21, 2009 at 3:39 am |
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