St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Augustine on Anastasia Island
Photographed By James R. Murray, January 5, 2017
1. St. Augustine on Anastasia Island Marker
Inscription.
St. Augustine on Anastasia Island. . St. Augustine, the oldest European-settled city in the United States, was located on Anastasia Island from 1566 until 1572. Spanish settlers had founded the city on the west shore of the Matanzas River on Sept. 8, 1565. They built homes and a fort. The fort and the supplies inside burned. On May 18, 1566, a council voted to relocate the city to the barrier island across from the first location. St. Augustine moved to the barrier island for protection from hostile Native Americans and European enemies entering the port. Documents describe in detail the city’s 6-year presence on the island, two forts, government barracks, a jail, homes, wells and fields for crops. No physical evidence has yet been found. Quarrying in the 17th and 18th centuries and erosion probably destroyed the remnants of the city on the island. Sixteenth-century reports note that the Island city was two leagues (5-6 miles) from a strong house on the San Julian Creek, placing the city in this general area of high ground and near the 16th-century inlet. The relentless ocean eroded the town’s location. In 1572 St. Augustine returned to the mainland.
St. Augustine, the oldest European-settled city in the United States, was located on Anastasia Island from 1566 until 1572. Spanish settlers had founded the city on the west shore of the Matanzas River on Sept. 8, 1565. They built homes and a fort. The fort and the supplies inside burned. On May 18, 1566, a council voted to relocate the city to the barrier island across from the first location. St. Augustine moved to the barrier island for protection from hostile Native Americans and European enemies entering the port. Documents describe in detail the city’s 6-year presence on the island—two forts, government barracks, a jail, homes, wells and fields for crops. No physical evidence has yet been found. Quarrying in the 17th and 18th centuries and erosion probably destroyed the remnants of the city on the island. Sixteenth-century reports note that the Island city was two leagues (5-6 miles) from a strong house on the San Julian Creek, placing the city in this general area of high ground and near the 16th-century inlet. The relentless ocean eroded the town’s location. In 1572 St. Augustine returned to the mainland.
Erected by St. Augustine Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1566.
Location.
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29° 53.131′ N, 81° 17.452′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is on Anastasia Boulevard (U.S. A1A), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located west of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 883 Anastasia Boulevard, Saint Augustine FL 32080, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 955 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
