Visiting Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine

While visiting the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine in Florida I really enjoyed exploring Castillo de San Marcos. The oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and a National Monument, the Castillo is the focal point of historical St. Augustine. Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. Construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and lasted 23 years, until 1695. Construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and lasted 23 years, until 1695. Many Spanish forts preceded the Castillo, however, this one made of coquina was impenetrable to enemy attack and was fire resistant. The fort came under fire for the first time in 1702. British forces, led by General Moore, burned the city but could not penetrate the Castillo's walls. Subsequent attacks in 1728 and 1740 yielded similar results, and the British were never able to take the city of St. Augustine by force. In 1763 Florida became a British colony with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, thus beginning a 20-year period of English rule. The Castillo was used as a military prison during the Revolutionary War. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Florida was returned to Spain in 1784 until Florida became a United States Territory in 1821. The Americans called the Castillo Fort Marion, honoring the revolutionary patriot from the Carolinas, General Frances Marion. The U.S. Government used Fort Marion as a prison for Native Americans in the late 1800s. Natives from both Florida and the Great Plains were held at the fort during this time. The fort was officially taken off the active list of fortifications in 1900 and it was preserved and recognized as a National Monument in 1924.