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Historical
Map
of St. Augustine
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St. Augustine, being surrounded
by water on three sides, was in little
danger of an attack except from the north. To
guard against
this, three lines of defense were constructed
across the peninsula from the Matanzas to the
San Sebastian
Rivers.
Fort Moosa (Fort
Mose) was located on the Matanzas River
about two and a half miles north of the present
post
office. This fort was of considerable size.
It was a complete fortress with four bastions,
moat,
drawbridge, etc..., and garrisoned at one
time with one hundred thirty three men. A
line of
defense extended from this fort to the San
Sebastian. The second
line of defense extended across the
peninsula near what is now Pine Street.
The inner and last line ran from Castle San
Marcos
to the
San Sebastian and the present City
Gates were then the only entrance to the city.
[ more
about the City Gates ]
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OLD CITY GATES
At
the north end of St. George Street,
less than ten minutes' walk from
the Plaza, stand these ancient pillars
once the only entrance to the enclosed
city.
The gates, as
we see them today, were built of
stone,
but the rest of the wall was of logs
stood on end. On the outer side of
this wall was a moat, or deep ditch
filled with water, and the approach
to the gates was over a drawbridge
which was pulled up at night. An
additional line of defense, consisting
of a breast-works of earth, having
on its summit several rows of Spanish
bayonets, planted so closely as to
be almost impenetrable, extended
from the northern wall south on what
is now the line of Cordova Street
to a point almost abreast the barracks,
from where it ran and joined the
Matanzas.
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Saint Augustine Old City
Gates Historical Photo
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