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, 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.

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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. 29° 53.131′ N, 81° 17.452′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1872 North Privy

Photographed by James R. Murray, January 5, 2017

2. St. Augustine on Anastasia Island Marker

(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1872 South Privy (about 700 feet away); Q: Did The Area Around The Lighthouse Always Look Like It Does Now? (about 700 feet away); Q: Did The Keepers And Their Families Have Animals? (about 700 feet away); 1886 Well (about 800 feet away); Coastal Hammock Native Vegitation / Coastal Hammock Wildlife (about 800 feet away); The History of Boatbuilding (about 800 feet away); Maritime History Beneath The Waves (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 1, 2024

3. St. Augustine on Anastasia Island Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,801 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 3. submitted on September 4, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.