Old Spanish Chimney & Well

This landmark was created by the St. Johns County Historical Commission. The site houses a chimney and a well; both fenced off but easily viewable. Although the original building is long gone, due to a fire in 1802, the historical society believes they were part of a Spanish barrack. It would have been used to house some of the crew involved in building the Castillo de San Marcos, such as quarry overseers, master masons, and stone cutters.

Across the street from this site, you can see some of what remains from the coquina quarry which was mined for the fort and other structures, including Fort Matanzas. Similar mines, or even this one, were also used to build homes in the Spanish period until 1821, when they ceded control to the United States.