Fort Matanzas

https://www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Matanzas_National_Monument Fort Matanzas National Monument consists of a 1740 Spanish fort called Fort Matanzas, and about 100 acres (0.4 km²) of salt marsh and barrier islands along the Matanzas River on the northern Atlantic coast of Florida. It is operated by the National Park Service in conjunction with the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in the city of St. Augustine. Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protects approximately 300 acres of Florida coastal environment containing dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species. Fort Matanzas is 14 miles south of Saint Augustine on State Route A1A. Visitor Center Welcome to Fort Matanzas National Monument. Our site is located at 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080. Upon arrival at the park, you will circle the picnic area and see our visitor center. The parking spaces will lead you to the public restrooms and a sidewalk that directs you to our visitor center. There is limited parking and the parking lot often fills up fast. Ferry Boarding Passes are available at this location. Behind the Visitor Center is the dock where the ferry departs. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located about 14 miles south of the historic district of St. Augustine, Florida. St. Augustine is located on Florida's Northeastern Atlantic coast about midway between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. From I-95: Take exit 305 (Route 206). Follow Route 206 east about 6 miles to Highway A1A. Turn right and follow A1A south for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road. Fort Matanzas Fort Matanzas, a fortified watch tower made form coquina. Fort Matanzas sits on Rattlesnake Island in the middle of the Matanzas River. Visitor Center Two story building with stone base and wood second floor, oak trees, grass, two signs. Here you can find information about the fort tour, exhibits, park movie, passport stamp, and more. Nature Trail A nature trail boardwalk with seating area. Follow an elevated boardwalk through some pristine Florida barrier island habitat. Soldier's Quarters Wooden bunks and uniform items in the soldier's quarters. The few enlisted soldiers at Fort Matanzas shared a small, sparse room as living space. Protecting the riverway The cannon of Fort Matanzas point toward the river's inlet. Fort Matanzas protected the southern river approach to Saint Augustine. Recreational Opportunities People wading in the river and relaxing on the beach. More the half-a-million people visit Fort Matanzas each year to enjoy both the river and ocean beaches. 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—Fort Matanzas 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. Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida Fort Matanzas Bark Ranger Do you like exploring Fort Matanzas with your canine friend? Learn about the B.A.R.K. Ranger program! Image of a dog on leash on the beach at Fort Matanzas 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. Fort Matanzas Virtual Ranger Become a Virtual Ranger at Fort Matanzas 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. 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 Turtle Activity Discover the fascinating world of sea turtles! Explore videos, images, and activities! Image of a loggerhead sea turtle hatchling. Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Fixed Station Monitoring Estuaries are the convergence of freshwater, delivered by rivers, to the ocean's salty sea water. The result is a delicate ecosystem providing existence for a multitude of fish and wildlife species. we have created the story map to help you learn more about how these estuaries formed, the potential issues they face, and the process of monitoring the water quality utilizing fixed station monitoring. Waterbirds congregate in an estuary at sunset. Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Park-wide Assessments Estuaries located in national parks provide recreational experiences such as fishing and boating for park visitors. Therefore, knowing what's in the water can assist the park in its mission of managing such a critcal resource. The Southeast Coast Network monitors water quality through fixed station monitoring and park-wide assessments. While the former is conducted on a monthly basis, park-wide assessments are completed every five years. Learn more with this story map. Dock stretching out into an estuary as the sun sets over the water. 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 Sustainability at Fort Matanzas Explore opportunities to protect resources in the park and at home. Photograph of a water refill station at Fort Matanzas. 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. 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. Coastal Geohazards—Storm Surges Storm surge may severely impact coastal geomorphology and inundate park resources. Brought by coastal storms, storm surge can be dangerous and have lasting effects. Coastal areas that remain at low elevation are prone to the effects of storm surge. The magnitude of a storm surge is increased when coupled with sea level rise. damaged road with sand overwash Estuary Landforms Estuaries are buffer zones between river (freshwater) and ocean (saltwater) environments that are affected by tidal oscillations. sunset over wetlands Series: Beach and Coastal Landforms Our national parks contain diverse coastal landforms: high-energy rocky shorelines of Acadia National Park, quiet reef-lagoons within War in the Pacific National Historic Park, and the white sandy beaches of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Coastal landforms are, or have been, affected to some degree by the direct or indirect effects of waves, tides, and currents, and may extend inland for many miles. aerial view of island and reef Series: Coastal Geohazards Natural processes such as tsunamis, coastal landslides, and storms are driving forces of change along the coast. These processes and other coastal hazards can threaten parks’ cultural and natural resources, infrastructure, and public recreational opportunities. storm surge waves breaking over pathway Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Building Coastal Resiliency We're restoring shoreline at 3 parks with Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat (POSH) modules created from oysters recycled from restaurants. These will serve as the base of new oyster beds that will fight erosion from boat wakes. two people carry oyster ball onto beach with marsh grasses Guide to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southeast Region Collection This finding aid describes the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southest Region Collection, part of the NPS History Collection.

I National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior t’s 1742. Your orders this morning are to watch over this inlet from the new Torre de Matanzas— Matanzas Tower. As a Spanish soldier, you spend most of your time doing drills and making repairs to this small fort. You must always be prepared. At any moment, French pirates or English outlaws could shatter the natural tranquility here. Will it be today? Suddenly, an osprey raises an urgent alarm. You scan the inlet’s entrance for signs of human invaders; then, you relax. Except for skimmers rippling the surface to find breakfast, these waters are calm. Separating you from the Atlantic’s crashing waves, miles of undeveloped marshland buzz with life. Not far from you, two leaping dolphins splash near a sandbar. Sanderlings scurry along coquina deposits on the beach. Offshore, a North Atlantic right whale Fort Matanzas National Monument Florida Brown pelicans Osprey breaches. You take a moment to enjoy the rare sight—the whale industry has nearly wiped out this species in the hunt for their valuable oil. This afternoon, you will hike the island to forage for supper under the baking sun, mindful that fresh water here is scarce. Tonight, you will return home by boat to St. Augustine and civilization after a long thirty days on watch. For now, you guard La Florida and your family to the north from the fortified watchtower on this fragile, isolated island—preserved and protected today as Fort Matanzas National Monument. Bald eagles NPS / LARRY EIFERT Salt marsh Hammock Northern gannets Right whale Brown pelicans Dunes Atlantic Ocean Palmetto Matanzas River Roseate spoonbills Prickly pear cactus Great horned owl Sea oats Black skimmers Great blue heron Railroad vine Indigo snake Least terns Gopher tortoise Marsh rabbit Northern harrier Green turtle Raccoon Fort Matanzas Wood stork Bobcat Double-crested cormorant Great egret Atlantic oysters Fort Matanzas Loggerhead turtle Laughing gull Common octopus Southern flounder Leatherback turtle Mullet Quartz sand Ghost crabs Moon jellyfish Coquina sand Atlantic surf clams Blacktip shark Sanderlings Ruddy turnstones Laughing gulls Tarpon Bottlenose dolphins Matanzas Inlet Atlantic needlefish Cannonball jellyfish Sea purslane Anastasia Island beach mouse Red drum Willets Red rat snake Snowy egret Spotted eagle ray Portuguese man-of-war Diamondback rattlesnake Bonnethead shark Pompano Fort Matanzas The main threat to St. Augustine is from the north by sea. The city is also vulnerable from the south by river. Beginning in 1569, Spain’s military builds a series of wooden watchtowers along the Matanzas River, approaching St. Augustine. Wind, water, and heat repeatedly wear down the towers. In 1740 the Spanish replace the southernmost tower with a masonry fort. The site…was the most advantageous and proper to keep under cover the entrance into the bay through this point. Observation deck Fort Matanzas proves its worth before it is even completed. In 1742 twelve British ships led by Gov. James Oglethorpe appear offshore. Before they can enter the inlet, the Spanish troops repel them with cannon fire from the fort’s gun deck. The Life of a Soldado in the 1700s   Every 30 days, a fresh crew—an officer, two gunners, and four privates with provisions—rowed from Castillo de San Marcos for rotation at Fort Matanzas. Families remained in St. Augustine, where the soldado (Spanish soldier) likely worked a second job. From this remote outpost, he took part in patrols, Powder magazine Officers’ quarters Soldiers’ quarters Spanish officer, 1700s Gun deck Sentry box NPS / RICHARD SCHLECHT Gun embrasures Cistern Fort Matanzas NPS / DON FOLEY NPS / STEVEN N. PATRICIA Before European Settlement   Timucua people occupy most of northern Florida for several hundred years. They grow crops, hunt for food, and trade with other tribes and newcomers from Spain— until relations deteriorate. 1564  The French establish Fort Caroline. Built with the help of the local Timucua, it is one of the first attempts by Europeans to start a colony in the New World. France’s presence disrupts Spain’s ambitions to dominate New World trade and culture; years of conflict ensue. Left: Timucuan stone projectile point Right: Fishbone hair pin or needle NPS / STEVEN N. PATRICIA 1740  When Great Britain lays siege to St. Augustine, Spain starts building a solid coquina (shellstone) fortification at Matanzas Inlet. Unable to carry large cannon through these shallow waters, a ship would be outgunned by the fort’s artillery. 1569  The Spanish build an unarmed wooden watchtower, thatched hut, and stockade at Matanzas Inlet (above). The structures fall victim to the elements and must be replaced often. maintenance, or small-scale fighting. He also guarded supplies and prisoners or aided shipwreck victims. For leisure, he played music or gambled. His single-pot meals included rice, vegetables, beans, and

Agustin Explores Matanzas Welcome to Fort Matanzas National Monument. My name is Agustín and I will be your guide. To become a Junior Ranger, choose three of the following: _____ Look at and read the exhibits and models at the visitor center and in the breezeway. _____ Visit the Fort. _____ Watch the video about the park and fort. _____ Walk the nature trail or the beach boardwalk trail. And then… “Search for your Stars!” Look for the colored stars and complete 5 or more activities marked with the color for your age group. Ages 4-7 activities are marked with a Ages 8-14 activities are marked with a Older children might wish to become Master Junior Rangers. To become a Master Junior Ranger, complete ALL Age 8-14 activities and either Be an Anthropologist or Be an Ecologist. Master Junior Rangers earn a special patch. When you are finished, bring the book back to the visitor center or mail it to the address on the back page and receive your Official Junior Ranger Badge and Certificate! 1 Meet a Ranger The Rangers at Fort Matanzas do many things. Some drive the boat or help handle the dock lines. Others greet visitors in the Visitor Center, and others give programs to visitors at the fort. Most of the Rangers will be wearing the ranger “flat hat” and a gray shirt with the National Park Service patch on the sleeve. Others dress like colonial soldiers. But just like Junior Rangers, they EXPLORE, LEARN, and PROTECT the park. For this activity you are to play the part of a newspaper reporter and interview a Park Ranger. Ask a Park Ranger this Question: What do you like most about working at Fort Matanzas National Monument? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Ranger’s Signature ____________________________________ 2 Going to Fort Matanzas In 1742, six to eight Spanish soldiers and their officer were sent out to Fort Matanzas from St. Augustine for thirty days at a time. They would come down the river by boat and bring everything they needed with them. I’m one of the Spanish soldiers getting ready to make the trip. Help me collect the gear and personal belongings I need to take by circling the items below. If you were going to Fort Matanzas NOW in the 21st century for thirty days, what would YOU bring? (It does not have to be anything pictured above. What would make you more comfortable out there?) ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 3 Turtle Hurdles This activity is from the book Discover Seashores and is used by permission from the Creative Company. The beach at Ft. Matanzas National Monument is used as a nesting area for endangered green and threatened loggerhead sea turtles. After laying about 100 eggs the size of ping-pong balls, the mother turtle returns to the sea. In about two months the eggs hatch, but the baby turtles face many dangers as they crawl to the ocean. Help this hatchling avoid the dangers and find its way safely to the sea. 4 Let’s Learn Spanish! 5 DICTIONARY: Colors: rojo (row-hoh) azul (ah-sool) verde (ver-day) amarillo (am-ar-ree-oh) anaranjado (ah-nah-rahn-há-doh) marrón (mah-roan) blanco (blahk-koh) negro (neg-roh) hola (Oh-la) hello buenas dias good day (boo-eh-nahs dee-ahs) adiós (ah-dee-ohs) goodbye sí (see) yes no (noh) no gracias (grah-see-as) thank you por favor (poor-fay-vor) please Numbers: uno (oo-no) dos (doughs) tres (trays) cuatro (qua-troh) cinco (sink-oh) diez (dee-es) one two three four five ten Misc. soldado (sol-dah-doh) fusil (foo-seel) espada (es-pa-dah) reloj (ray-low) red blue green yellow orange brown white black soldier musket sword watch Clothing: sombrero (som-bray-roh) hat camisa (kam-ees-sah) shirt calzones (kal-sone-es) pants/breeches falda (fal-dah) skirt casaca (kas-ah-kah) dress coat medias (may-dee-ahs) socks zapatas (sah-pah-tohs) shoes sandalias (san-dal-ee-ahs) sandals chaleco (chal-ee-koh) vest vueltas (voo-el-tahs) cuffs Answer these questions in Spanish: 1. The soldado’s sombrero is _______________ with a ______________ bow and ______________________ trim. 2. What parts of the soldado’s uniform are azul? _______________ and __________________ 3. What color are the vueltas? ___________ His medias? _________ 4. The soldado has una espada. Sí or No. ___________ 5. The soldado is wearing sandalias. Sí or No. 6. Can you see his chaleco rojo? Sí or No. _____________ ______________ 6 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! RECYCLED PRODUCTS are everywhere: at home, in your family's garden, at school, in the playground, and even in the clothing we wear. When you buy products made from recycled materials, you help conserve precious resources and eliminate waste from landfills. Draw a line from the item in the first column to what it can be recycled into. Some items can be recycled into more than one thing. What are the best things to recycle? What do you do