St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Augustine Sea Wall

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

1. St. Augustine Sea Wall Marker

Inscription. This portion of the St. Augustine sea wall, extending from King Street to the south end of St. Francis Barracks, was constructed during the period 1833 to 1844. The coquina wall with granite top served as protection for the homes and businesses on the waterfront. Stone for the walls was quarried across the Matanzas River on Anastasia Island. The granite coping came from Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Together with the refurbishing of the Castillo de San Marcos, renamed Fort Marion by the Army, this project was an early example of the work assigned to graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the first engineering school in the United States. This was one of the earliest federally funded projects in the Territory of Florida. The West Point graduates who designed and supervised the work were: 1st Lieutenant Stephen Tuttle (1797-1835; Class of 1820), 1st Lieutenant Francis L. Dancy (1806-1890; Class of 1826), 1st Lieutenant Henry W. Benham (1818-1884; Class of 1837) and 1st Lieutenant Jeremy F. Gilmer (1818-1883; Class of 1839).

Erected 2004 by the West Point Society of North Florida and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-527.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work

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• Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 29° 53.445′ N, 81° 18.588′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is at the intersection of Menendez Avienda and Bravo Lane, on the right when traveling north on Menendez Avienda. The sea wall has been completely rehabilitated and preserved. The Marker has been relocated farther north to the entrance of the Santa Maria Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 Avienda Menendez, Saint Augustine FL 32084, 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.

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: The Historic St. Augustine Seawall (within shouting distance of this marker); Signal From Shore (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marin House (about 300 feet away); Solana House (about 400 feet away); Cofradia Archaeological Site (about 500 feet away); The O’Reilly House (about 500 feet away); Father Miguel O'Reilly House (about 500 feet away); Living Legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cofradia Site Coquina Well (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related markers.

New location of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James R. Murray, August 14, 2014

2. New location of marker

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. Augustine Seawall

Photographed by James R. Murray, May 25, 2014

3. New location of marker

As can be seen from this photo taken May 25, the marker is temporarily not in place.

St. Augustine Sea Wall New Construction image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James R. Murray, May 25, 2014

4. St. Augustine Sea Wall New Construction

This photo shows the final stages of completely rebuilding the St. Augustine Sea Wall. The marker is temporarily not in place.

Old location of marker at Avenida Menendez and St. Francis Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

5. Old location of marker at Avenida Menendez and St. Francis Street

Old Seawall in front of St. Francis Barracks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

6. Old Seawall in front of St. Francis Barracks

Old Seawall Extending North to King Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

7. Old Seawall Extending North to King Street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,531 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on December 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 14, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on May 25, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.