Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Spanish Muster Site in Florida
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 2, 2016
1. First Spanish Muster Site in Florida Marker
Inscription.
First Spanish Muster Site in Florida. . The first muster of Spanish militiamen in the newly-established presidio (fortified encampment) of St. Augustine took place in September of 1565. During the onset of the San Mateo hurricane Adelantado Pedro Menendez de Aviles assembled 500 regular soldiers to attack the French settlement at Fort Caroline on the St. John's River while the French sailed south towards St. Augustine. Staying behind in the presidio was a group of some 100 civilians including craftsmen, laborers, farmers, priests, wives, and children. Among them, free white men were pressed into military service in accordance with Spanish law to defend the community and protect its supplies against a possible counterattack. Menendez's victory at Fort Caroline helped to secure St. Augustine against further French threat. The Florida National Guard honors September 15, 1565, as the first muster of Florida's militia and therefore the birthdate of the militia in what was to become the United States. St. Augustine is the oldest permanently occupied European settlement in the continental United States.
The first muster of Spanish militiamen in the newly-established presidio (fortified encampment) of St. Augustine took place in September of 1565. During the onset of the San Mateo hurricane Adelantado Pedro Menendez de Aviles assembled 500 regular soldiers to attack the French settlement at Fort Caroline on the St. John's River while the French sailed south towards St. Augustine. Staying behind in the presidio was a group of some 100 civilians including craftsmen, laborers, farmers, priests, wives, and children. Among them, free white men were pressed into military service in accordance with Spanish law to defend the community and protect its supplies against a possible counterattack. Menendez's victory at Fort Caroline helped to secure St. Augustine against further French threat. The Florida National Guard honors September 15, 1565, as the first muster of Florida's militia and therefore the birthdate of the militia in what was to become the United States. St. Augustine is the oldest permanently occupied European settlement in the continental United States.
Erected 2015 by The Department of Military Affairs, The Florida National Guard, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-848.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
Location. 29° 54.447′ N, 81° 18.981′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. Marker is at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Williams Street, on the right when traveling north on Magnolia Avenue. Marker is at the entrance to the Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Magnolia Avenue, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Ponce de León's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 2, 2016
2. First Spanish Muster Site in Florida Marker
Fountain of Youth marker can be seen next to this one.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 620 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 5, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
