February 20, 2014

There is no doubt Castillo De San Marcos would be standing today, and for centuries to come, if only for the impeccable construction of the fortress; the coastal garrison truly is a testament to the resilience of 17th century Spanish architecture. Yet the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States has had its mettle tested in the past, only to disappoint its aggressors by standing resolute time and time again. Several things can be attributed to the fortification’s staying power: the fort’s coquina construction, its geographical location, the cannons . . . Ah, yes: the cannons. Nothing quite like a row of