Parris Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument

Fort San Marcos- Ribault Monument Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

1. Fort San Marcos- Ribault Monument Marker

Inscription. The concrete pillars and the shallow depression here represent the outline and moat of a fortication excavated by the Marine Corps in 1923. The archaeological dig was supervised by Major George Osterhout who believed this was the site of the French Huguenot ( Protestsnt ) outpost Charlesfort founded in 1562 by by Jean Ribaut. In 1925 the obelisk was erected to honor the early French explorers. Major Osterhout is among the dignitaries present for the dedication of the monument in March of 1926. He is the second from the right in the second row underneath the French flag.

Recent excavations reveal that this is the site of the Spanish Fort San Marcos that guarded the town of Santa Elena from 1577-1587. In 1996 the actual site of Charlesfort was found 200 yards north of here.

Erected by U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1926.

Location. 32° 18.373′ N, 80° 40.533′ W. Marker is on Parris Island, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker is on Belleau Wood Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parris Island SC 29905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. Jean Ribault Monument (here, next to this marker); Fort San Marcos (a few steps from this marker); Charlesfort-Santa Elena Site (a few steps from this marker); The First Inhabitants (a few steps from this marker); Northern Most Known Bastion of Spanish Florida (a few steps from this marker); Aqui Estuvo España (a few steps from this marker); Parris Island Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Parris Island Lighthouses (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parris Island.

Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

2. Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument Marker

Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument Marker, June 26, 2009

3. Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument Marker

Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument as seen from Belleau Wood Rd. Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

4. Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument as seen from Belleau Wood Rd. Circle

Some of the concrete pylons are visible around the The Ribaut Monument.

Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

5. Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument

Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument, wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

6. Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument, wide view

The Ribaut Monument, West Face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

7. The Ribaut Monument, West Face

"Here stood Charlesfort, built 1562 by Jean Ribault for Admiral Coligny. A refuge for Hugunenots and to the glory of France."

The Ribaut Monument East face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

8. The Ribaut Monument East face

"Erected 1925 by the Government of the United States of America to mark the first stronghold of France on this Continent."

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

9. Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument Marker

The French Memorial likeness is included at the Marine Corps Depot Gateway

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,721 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 24, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on August 6, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.