St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Francis Barracks
Photographed By David Anderson, February 3, 2008
1. St. Francis Barracks Marker
These coquina walls were once part of the Franciscan chapel and friary of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, established by missionaries from Spain. Before these walls rose, thatch-roofed wooden buildings on this site were burned in 1599, rebuilt and again destroyed by fire in 1702 when English forces from South Carolina burned the town.
The coquina buildings, known for years as the St. Francis Barracks, were used as military housing by the British from 1763 to 1783, by the Spanish, 1783-1821, and then by the United States. In 1907, the property was leased to the State of Florida for its military headquarters. The main building was gutted by fire in 1915, but the coquina walls were unharmed.
In 1921, by act of Congress, the St. Francis Barracks were turned over to the State of Florida.
Today the Barracks and the military reservation house the Headquarters, Military Department, State of Florida, and Headquarters, Florida National Guard.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Military • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1599.
Location. 29° 53.276′ N, 81° 18.598′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is at the intersection of St Francis Street and
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. La Florida’s El Camino Real (here, next to this marker); Four Centuries----Five Flags (here, next to this marker); Saint Augustine’s Oldest House (a few steps from this marker); Tovar House (a few steps from this marker); González-Alvarez House (a few steps from this marker); Gonzalez-Alvarez House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Tovar House (within shouting distance of this marker); State Arsenal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Coquina. The St. Francis Barracks is made from a native Florida limestone called Coquina. (Submitted on March 6, 2008, by David Anderson of Middletown, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 30, 2014
2. St. Francis Barracks Marker after restoration
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020
3. St. Francis Barracks Marker looking west on St. Francis Street
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 2, 2011
4. St. Francis Barracks
Photographed By James R. Murray, September 17, 2014
5. St. Francis Barracks - Headquarters for the Florida National Guard
Photographed By James R. Murray, September 20, 2014
6. St. Francis Barracks
(State Arsenal)
(State Arsenal)
Burned December 13th, 1915
Reconstructed 1922
Arsenal Building
Commission of the
State of Florida
Cary A. Hardee Governor
H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State
Charles P. Lovell, The Adjutant General
F.A. Hollingsworth Architect
Southern Construction
Company of
Pensacola, Florida
Contractors
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2008, by David Anderson of Middletown, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,599 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2008, by David Anderson of Middletown, New Jersey. 2. submitted on June 4, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on September 18, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 18, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 6. submitted on September 23, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
