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

Matanzas Bay

Bahia de Matanzas

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

1. Matanzas Bay Marker

Inscription. On this shore in 1586, Sir Francis Drake burned San Agustín and a new wooden fort called San Juan. In 1668, John Davis, an English corsair, sacked the town and almost captured its wooden fort. Many other pirates, seeking Spanish treasure ships, were a continuous threat.

To hold this harbor, Queen Mariana ordered this fort built of stone.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1586.

Location. 29° 53.87′ N, 81° 18.674′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. It can be reached from South Castillo Drive (State Road A1A), on the right when traveling north. Located at the parapet of Castillo de San Marcos. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 S Castillo Dr, 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: Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Pirate Attacks (a few steps from this marker); Sizzling Salvo / Al rojo vivo (a few steps from this marker); Reading the Cannon / Claves de cañones (a few steps from this marker); Tidal Toilet / Limpiado por las mareas (a few steps from this marker); St. Charles Bastion

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(a few steps from this marker); St. Augustine's Bastion (a few steps from this marker); 1740 Siege (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Other markers no longer nearby. La Necesaria (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); U.S. Shot Furnace (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. NPS website. (Submitted on August 18, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

2. Matanzas Bay Marker

Entrance to the Bay image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 2, 2011

3. Entrance to the Bay

Looking from the Castillo towards the entrance to the bay.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 787 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.