Another significant trial came during the War of Jenkins’ Ear (1739–1748), a conflict between Britain and Spain. In 1740, British General James Oglethorpe, governor of Georgia, led an expedition against St. Augustine. With over 1,000 troops and naval support, Oglethorpe laid siege to the Castillo. Once again, the coquina walls held firm. Spa

Construction of the Castillo began in 1672 under the direction of Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza. What made the project unique was the use of coquina, a soft limestone composed of compressed seashells. Quarried from nearby Anastasia Island, coquina was abundant, lightweight, and surprisingly resilient. Unlike granite or brick, coquina absorbed th

Introduction: The Stone Sentinel of St. Augustine On the shores of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida, stands one of the most enduring monuments of European colonization in North America: Castillo de San Marcos. Built by the Spanish in the late seventeenth century, the fortress is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. More

The Barnacle is more than a preserved house; it is a symbol of resilience, vision, and community. It represents the life of one man, Ralph Munroe, but also the collective story of Coconut Grove’s pioneers. Through storms, urbanization, and cultural change, it has endured as a physical and symbolic landmark. As visitors walk the grounds today,