Fort Matanzas National Monument

Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part as this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustines's southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protecting not just the historic fort, but also the wild barrier island and the plants and animals who survive there.
This is the site of the killing of nearly 250 French Huguenots by the Spanish, an act that the river and inlet the name Matanzas. , Spanish for "slaughters", as European nations fought for control of the New World.

One hundred and seventyfive years later, the small watchtower fort was constructed to help protect St. Augustine from a new threat, the British.

The dock here that you see is the tourist boat dock that you can see the Fort Matanzas National Monument for free.