The National Park System, of which Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people. [Illustration: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, March 3, 1849] UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Stewart L. Udall, _Secretary_ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Conrad L. Wirth, _Director_ [Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR] For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25. D.C. Price 20 cents THE BUILDING OF Castillo de San Marcos _by ALBERT C. MANUCY Historian Castillo de San Marcos National Monument_ [Illustration: Royal Spanish coat of arms.] _National Park Service Interpretive Series History No. 1_ UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE _WASHINGTON_ [Illustration: CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS, OLDEST EXISTING MASONRY FORT IN THE UNITED STATES, IS A TYPICAL EUROPEAN FORTIFICATION OF THE LATE 1600’S. IT OVERLOOKS THE ENTRANCE TO ST. AUGUSTINE HARBOR, AND FROM ITS WATCHTOWER THE SENTRIES LOOKED OUT OVER THE MIGHTY ATLANTIC TOWARD THE TREASURE FLEETS ON THEIR WAY TO SPAIN.] _Contents_ _Page_ FLORIDA AND THE PIRATES 1 BEGINNING THE CASTILLO 8 THE YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION 15 DEFENDING SAN MARCOS 26 THE END OF AN ERA 31 GLOSSARY 34 _The Building of_ Castillo de San Marcos FLORIDA AND THE PIRATES