Note 22 — Chapter XVI · Orange Groves and an Ancient Village—The Oldest Town and Fort in the United States—Northern Speculations.
Reading edition
“Reynando en Espana el Fernando Sexto y Siendo Govor y Capo de Esa Cd Sato ango de la Florida y Sus Prova el mariscal de Campo Dn Alonzo Ferndo Hereda Asi Concluio Este Castillo El Anod 1756 Dirig endo Las obras el Cap Ingruro Dn Pedro de Brazos, y Garay.”
“Don Ferdinand the Sixth, being King of Spain, and the Field Marshal Don Alonzo Fernando Hereda being Governor and Captain General of this place, St. Augustine, of Florida, and its provinces, this fort was finished in the year 1766. The works were directed by the Captain Engineer, Don Pedro Brazos y Garay.”
The Fort first erected was called San Juan de Pinos. The same name attached to the present Fort at the commencement of its erection. Subsequently it was called St. Mark; and finally, upon the acquisition of Florida by the United States, Fort Marion. Don Juan Marquez Cabera commenced the construction of the present Fort in 1681. The Apalachian Indians were employed upon it for more than sixty years. The first Fort was built by Don Pedro Melendez de Avila, in 1565. In the same year, the foundation of St. Augustine was laid. It is thus, by more than forty years, the oldest town in the United Slates.