We found ourselves another Spanish fort to visit. A few miles south of St Augustine on Anastasia Island is the entrance to Fort Matanzas National Monument.
This fort was built by the Spanish in 1742 to protect St Augustine from the British who might try to sneak into town by way of the Matanzas River. The fort served its purpose, but saw no significant action. The same treaties that passed Castillo de San Marcos back and forth between countries also passed Fort Matanzas. However, no one ever occupied the fort after the Spanish left.
The original fort was so badly deteriorated after years of neglect that it had just about fallen down. The National Park Service came along and put the fort back together again. The interpreter estimated that 95% of the stones are original.
Fort Matanzas is located across Matanzas River from the Park Visitor Center. We rode over and back on a passenger ferry. The interpreter, in period dress, was very knowledgeable. He was a real talker, too. After his little speech about the fort, he was more than happy to answer any and every question anyone had.
On our way home, we stopped by the St Augustine Lighthouse for a couple quick pictures. There was a museum and you could go up in the lighthouse for a fee. We decided to pass on that today.
We have been invited to Darrell and Judy’s for dinner tonight. Their friends were to arrive this afternoon, so it should be a lively party.
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