Fort Matanzas is a national monument located at St. Augustine, Florida. Initially, the Spanish built the fort to protect this historic city (Fort Matanzas National Monument – St. Augustine, Florida). Since 1740, the fort has been a guard for this historic city. Although it was built for protection from the possible attacks from the South, in peaceful times the fort became a national park with rich history and outstanding scenery.
The untouched territory of the park covers that area of 300 acres and comprises the variety of scenery including beaches, wild forest, and even a coastal barrier island (Florida’s Pristine Parks: Fort Matanzas National Monument). The island can be accessed by ferry which makes it attractive for tourists. Still, the central attraction of the park is the abovementioned Fort Matanzas National Monument. The building is an example of fortifying architecture of the middle of the 18th century and is made of shell stone by the Spanish. At present, the fort is a unique historic site for the United States.
The name of the fort also has historic roots. The word “matanzas” itself is a Spanish analogue for “slaughter” or “killing”. It gets us back to one of the bloodiest incidents in the history of colonial Florida. Almost two centuries prior to the creation of Fort Matanzas, there was a battle for domination over the Florida coast between the forces of the Spanish and French. The event is also known as the massacre of the French. It took place in 1565 near the area where the monument is located at present (History and Culture). This bloody incident gave names to the river, the inlet, and the Fort.
By 1569, a wooden watchtower was constructed at Matanzas Inlet. It was located at the southern end of the inland waterway and its primary goal was to protect St. Augustine from ships of enemies that could approach the location. However, the wooden tower needed constant repair works because wood was spoiled due to the warm and wet climate in the region. Only in 1740 a decision was made that there was a necessity to build a stronger and long-lasting fortification. As a result, the Fort was constructed within the period from 1740 to 174. Initially owned by the Spanish, it some years later it became the property of the British, returned to Spain for a short period of time, until became a possession of the United States as a result of a treaty of 1819. Nevertheless, the United States did not use it as a fortification which led to its decline and ruin. At the time of the Civil War, the Fort did not have any significance. However, the old fortification has been restored in the 1920s and became a major object of Fort Matanzas National Monument (Fort Matanzas National Monument).
Fort Matanzas is a square with each side measuring about 50 feet each (Fort Matanzas National Monument – St. Augustine, Florida). Its tower was considered high at that time and is 30 feet high. After it was completed in 1742, there were five cannona, four six-pounders and one 18-pounder. The fort has all the necessary equipment and locations that were needed by that time. Thus, there is a powder magazine built into the west wall. A peculiar feature of this room is that it can be only entered “through the upstairs officer’s quarters” (A Virtual Tour to the Fort). It was a necessary precaution measure because the powder magazine was used for storage of the dangerous black powder and it was important to protect it from flames that were needed to keep the Fort warm and give light. The food was stored in the same room but in front of the powder magazine.
Another interesting object of the Fort is the observation deck. It is located on the top of the tower and can be only accessed through a narrow ladder. A beautiful view of the inlet opens from the deck. The Fort also has rooms where an officer and soldiers were placed. The curious fact is that there was only place for one officer, a sergeant or lieutenant. His headquarters consisted of a private room with simple furniture where he could sit at the table or sleep. The headquarters are located next to the powder magazine and food storage (A Virtual Tour to the Fort). The soldiers’ quarters were located in the lower room. The room was used for many activities such as cooking, eating, and sleeping. The furniture was plain and included a wooden sleeping platform, long benches, and a table (A Virtual Tour to the Fort).
Some other objects are also of interest to visitors and researchers. Thus, firearm loopholes that were used for firing muskets, had shutters and thus could protect from rain or wind. To provide some autonomy for the Fort in case of attack and lack of access to the river for water, the fort was equipped with cistern. It is placed under the gundeck and the rain water that is gathered on the roof, is transported to the cistern through a wooden pipe. One of the Fort features that was ruined and then restored is the sentry box. It is a typical component of Spanish Caribbean forts (A Virtual Tour to the Fort). The Gun Deck is an integral part of the Fort. Although Fort Matanzas is small and not complicated, it was important due to the strategic location and presence of artillery. There were five cannons protecting three directions which were placed on the gun deck. At present, there are two original cannons left/ To restore the real picture, two more cannons were added on the gun deck, but they are the modern copies.
At present, the Fort is a tourist attraction. It is a unique fortification on the continental part of the United States and is a part of its history. Despite its tragic history and a “bloody” name, it is an embodiment of the past events and a monument that should be preserved for the coming generations.
Works Cited
“A Virtual Tour to the Fort.” National Park Service.
“Florida’s Pristine Parks: Fort Matanzas National Monument.” National Geographic.
“Fort Matanzas National Monument – St. Augustine, Florida.” Explore Southern History, Web.
“Fort Matanzas National Monument.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
“History and Culture.” National Park Service.