Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos NM https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States and is Located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in the city of St. Augustine, Florida. Construction began in 1672, 107 years after the city's founding by Spanish Admiral and conquistador Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, when Florida was part of the Spanish Empire. The fort's construction was ordered by Governor Francisco de la Guerra y de la Vega after the destructive raid by the English privateer Robert Searles in 1668. The construction of the core of the current fortress was completed in 1695. Under United States control the fort was used as a military prison to incarcerate members of Native American tribes starting with the Seminole—including the famous war chief, Osceola, in the Second Seminole War—and members of western tribes, including Geronimo's band of Chiricahua Apache. Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and interprets more than 450 years of cultural intersections. On State Route A1A overlooking Matanzas Bay in the heart of the historic district of Saint Augustine, the Castillo is approximately a five mile drive from Interstate 95. Castillo Drawbridge Drawbridge entrance to the Castillo de San Marcos Crossing a dry moat, this drawbridge was the only way into the Castillo. Castillo de San Marcos Hot Shot Furnace Furnace for heating cannon balls This furnace, in the water battery on the east side of the Castillo, heated cannonballs red hot to be fired at wooden vessels. Castillo de San Marcos Cannon Four black iron cannon mounted on carriages line the walls of the Castillo. The Castillo features both iron and bronze cannon and mortar from the period. Castillo de San Marcos Cannon Firing Re-enactors of the first Spanish period cover their ears while firing a cannon. Cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled five times a day every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Castillo de San Marcos Aerial View Aerial view of the Castillo and the city of St. Augustine the Castillo commands the northern edge of the heart of downtown St. Augsutine. Archaeology Activity "One man's trash is another man's treasure." What?! Complete an archaeology activity to discover how "trash" can teach us a lot about people from the past. Shell Midden Mound, a hill with shells and grass. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Florida Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. [Site Under Development] fortress walls Build Your Own Cannon Experience a cannon firing, examine 3D models of artillery, and build your own paper cannon. Cannon with two Spanish soldiers and flag on gun deck of Castillo. Castillo Virtual Ranger Become a Virtual Ranger at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument! Image of Virtual Ranger arrowhead, images of a computer screen, and fort outline. Colonial Games Learn about colonial games and make your own toy. Two children are playing checkers in the grass. Build Your Own Fort Do you have what it takes to defend your town? Construct your own fort out of materials you have at home! Image of sand castle on beach. Civil Rights in Colonial St. Augustine In 1606, one year before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, the first documented slave birth was recorded in St. Augustine, FL. Cannon Experiment Did you know cannons harnessed the power of a chemical reaction to function? Discover more by conducting an experiment using the scientific method to produce a chemical reaction with an Alka-Seltzer cannon. Apply what you learn about chemical reactions to the loading and firing of cannon to understand the reality faced by the gun crews at the Castillo and Fort Matanzas. Cannon Diagram Climate Change Have you ever felt stronger as part of a group? The history of the Castillo de San Marcos shows us that there's strength in numbers -- a lesson to remember as we face the challenge posed by climate change. Illustration of the northeast bastion with water and palm trees in background. National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate. Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map Coloring Pages - Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas Looking for a home or classroom activity for the kids? Enjoy these coloring pages that were created by rangers and volunteers! Young boy with coloring page of a cartoon fort soldier Castillo de San Marcos Bark Ranger Do you like exploring downtown St. Augustine and the park grounds outside Castillo de San Marcos with your canine friend? Learn about the B.A.R.K. Ranger program! Image of a dog with a ranger outside Castillo de San Marcos Series: National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geoheritage-conservation.htm">geoheritage</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geodiversity.htm">geodiversity</a> resources and values all across the National Park System to support science-based management and education. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1088/index.htm">NPS Geologic Resources Division</a> and many parks work with National and International <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/park-geology.htm">geoconservation</a> communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available. park scene mountains Sustainability Explore opportunities to protect resources in the park and at home. Photograph of a water refill station at Castillo. Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments Cultural Landscapes Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas, both in present-day northeastern Florida, represent the best-preserved evidence of the Spanish Empire’s 287-year presence in southeastern North America. The oldest masonry fortification remaining in the continental United States, Castillo de San Marcos formed the core of a system of defenses. The fort landscapes reflect conventions of military engineering and the later changes and preservation efforts by the U.S. War Department. A furnace in an area of turf between the masonry wall of a fort and a seawall alongside water. 50 Nifty Finds #5: Keeping Their Cool The park ranger uniform is known the world over. Perhaps the most iconic part of the uniform is the broad-brimmed flat hat. Over the last century, however, many different kinds of hats have been worn by rangers depending on their gender, where they work, the season of the year, and the jobs they do. While a pith helmet may bring up images of Colonial Britain, World War II soldiers, explorers, or people on safaris, for a while it was also be worn by some park rangers. Tan pith helmet with a silver Sequoia cone on the front