St. Augustine - Fountain of Youth Part 2

Since the site is an archaeological site important to both European and Native American history, there is a mix of the two in the park. The front of the site is dedicated to the 'Fountain of Youth' and the lifestyle of the Timucuan Indians at the time of the Spaniards initial landing. Towards the back of the site, there is evidence of the excavation and the location of where the Spaniards had set up camp.

A canoe

The Timucuan village.

 Excavations of the area showed evidence about the lifestyles of the inhabitants. Archaeologists were able to tell which wood was used in the making of the huts, and how far apart they were by the stains left behind.

 This area is a reproduction of the original site.

This is the location of where the Spaniards had set up camp. Not too far from the Timucuan village.

The original location of  the mission of Nombre de Dios. This, of course, is a reproduction.

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Castillo De San Marcos Parte 2! I try to be funny and snarky- hashtag edition

Some of the more glamorous shots I took of the fort.

The Spanish crest on a cannon, go Spain. Putting your crest on everything is like monogramming it. Good for you. #southern #preppy #spanishcrest

It's a doorway that was cemented up. So sad, perhaps it was another entrance into Narnia.

So 4 people slept in this bunk bed and everything they owned was put on the hooks and in that drawer space. #cuddlebuddy #bros4life #militarylife

El Necesario. The Necessary. The Bathroom. The Restroom. 

Call it whatever suits your fancy but this is where the occupants of the fort went to empty their bladders and bowels.

Looking out into the bay #gorgeous #nofilter

An inside look at the fort, so spacious and I love the inner yard

Looking out into the bay. I love the sky #blue #ocean #travel

A shot looking out from the second story of the fort looking into Historic St. Augustine. #florida #sunny #st.augustine #cannon

This was taken outside of the fort, a photo of the moat area and you can also see historic St. Augustine in this shot.

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Castillo de San Marcos- St. Augustine, Fl- Part 1

     Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the U.S, located on Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine,Fl. Construction began in 1672 and continued until its completion in 1695, at this time Florida was still part of the Spanish Empire. One can assume the placement of the fort at bay was strategic. The bay has a mouth leading out to sea and the fort is placed at a spot in the bay where men could see for miles around to ensure the city was protected. 

     About 80 years after its completion the British took over and renamed the fort St.Mark (mostly because they lacked imagination). Not to worry in 1783 the Spanish gained Florida back, but just as soon as they gained it back they have it away to the U.S in 1821.  Despite being a military fort it was only besieged twice in its history and all the change in possession were made in times of peace. When the fort was in possession by the U.S it was used as a military prison to imprison members of various Native American tribes, the first being the Seminole. 

The sleeping quarters. 

It even has its own fireplace! It can get cold in Florida (trust me). Located right next to the dungeon.

Set of buildings that contain officers sleeping quarters, chapel and mess hall.

Spanish crest

The Chapel!

The Sacristy!

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St. Augustine, Fl, USA- Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse Part 3

Previously mentioned was the statues at the schoolhouse commemorating men important to Latin America's history. These are the pictures of the statues with their flag and the inscription! This was a request!

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St. Augustine, Fl, USA- Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse Pt 2

As mentioned previously the schoolhouse is the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the U.S and has stood since the early 1700's but the last class graduated in 1865. The compound contains the schoolhouse, a kitchen, an outhouse, several statues commemorating important figures in Latin American history, and a well. It is important to note that the teachers would live with their family in the second story of the schoolhouse. The kitchen was separate to ensure both ventilation and that if there was a fire it would be easily contained.

Okay moving on to the best part! The pictures!

Peruvian Liberator!

Honduras!

I tried to get a picture of the whole compound

The last class of the schoolhouse in 1864!

That girl in the purple looks like Wednesday Addams

Furniture the teacher owned or may have owned.

If you behaved badly you were sent to the cupboard beneath the stairs. Made me think of Harry Potter.

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