A half-hour south of Tallahassee at St. Marks, San Marcos de Apalache is a National Historic Landmark with origins dating back to 1528, when an expedition led by Spanish conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez arrived in the area. Spain later chose the site at the confluence of the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers to establish a fort to protect and supply the Catholic missions of La Florida.

The fort, built in 1679 with logs coated in lime to give the appearance of stone, stood only three years before it was burned and looted by pirates. Another five decades passed before Spain began construction of the first authentic stone fort at the site. It was less than half finished when Florida came under British rule in 1763. Control of the fort changed hands several more times, including a brief occupation by General Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War.

Ultimately, it entered American possession when Florida became a U.S. Territory in 1821. Today, visitors to the museum at San Marcos de Apalache State Park can learn more about the long and diverse history of this second oldest remaining Spanish fortification in Florida.

Courtesy of the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources