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

The Boat Basin

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 5, 2016

1. The Boat Basin Marker

Inscription. A Boat Basin at the east end of the Plaza was constructed as part of the new coquina seawall of 1840. This Basin was important to St. Augustine residents who depended on the river and harbor for their livelihood, travel, and recreation. This photo (right) is a view of the Boat Basin after the devastating fire of April 12, 1887 destroyed the wooden St. Augustine Hotel and burned the roofs of the Cathedral and the Public Market.

Archaeological investigations in 2000 discovered the west wall of the Basin now under the Ponce de Leon statue and Avenida Menendez. When the Basin was abandoned in 1895, a wooden bridge was constructed across Matanzas Bay which was itself replaced by the current Bridge of Lions in 1927.

Erected by City of St. Augustine.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 29° 53.543′ N, 81° 18.64′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is at the intersection of Menendez Avenue and King Street (Business U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north on Menendez Avenue. Marker is in small park at the base of the Bridge of Lions. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Plaza Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Ponce De Leon (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Ponce de Leon (within shouting distance of this marker); Public Market Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Augustine First World War Memorial (about 300 feet away); The St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Monument (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 5, 2016

2. The Boat Basin Marker

Intersection of King Street and Menendez Avenue in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.