CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS
The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Built by the Spanish Crown, it's Spanish flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes raised on July 10, 1821...
Osceola, the Seminole leader, and some of his followers were captured and imprisoned in Castillo De San Marcos by General Jessup--who was forever stigmatized by this military injustice. This massive fortress, built of coquina (shellstone from Anastasia Island) defended the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine since the late 1600's. With its history and longetivity there are likely to be many spirits lingering on the grounds! Phantom soldiers walking around the fortress are seen quite often by staff members. Who are these restless spirits? It's impossible to identify the ghosts of the Castillo except in one case--a famous legend of infidelity and murder...
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Deadly Infidelity... Shortly after England had ceded the Floridas back to Spain, in 1784 Spanish Colonel Garcia Marti and his young wife Dolores moved to St. Augustine. The Colonel had a young assistant, Captain Manuel Abela--they worked closely together--too closely it turned out. Manuel and Dolores began a clandestine romance, which the Colonel discovered when he smelled his wife's distinctive perfume coming from his assistant's clothing. After confronting Manuel the Captain wasn't seen again, and the Colonel explained the disappearance by telling everyone he'd been sent to Cuba. At the same time neighbors realized they hadn't seen Dolores for awhile. Again the Colonel explained the disappearance to everyone, saying she'd taken ill and been sent to live with family members in Mexico. That was the end of the story until 1833, when U.S. engineer Lieutenant Stephen Tuttle made a startling discovery. A section of wall in the dungeon beneath the Castillo sounded hollow so he chipped away some mortar and found two skeletons! He also smelled strong perfume in the hallway. Modern day visitors to the fortress often smell a sweet perfume, and even see a glow where the skeletons were found...
