Fort Mose State Park in St. Augustine FL is Rich With History

Fort Mose State Park is near the site of its namesake, which was the first legally sanctioned Free Black settlement in what is now the continental United States.  In 1738 the Spanish Governor of St. Augustine ordered the fort and settlement built for the former slaves who had escaped from the British colonies to the North.  The Spanish had let it be known that any former slave who converted to Catholicism and pledged to defend Spanish territory would be free.  By 1738 there were at least 100 free blacks living in the City.

The full name of the settlement was Gracia Real de Santa Terasa de Mose but was known  simply as Fort Mose  (mo-say).

The Park is open every day but Christmas from 9 am to 5 pm.  There is no charge for entrance.  To get there go north on US 1 and, after passing a Wendy’s and Winn-Dixie on your left at a stop light, be prepared to turn right just past two stone pillers with statues.  There is a small brown sign just before you turn on Fort Mose Trail.  After two short blocks this becomes the entrance to the Fort parking lot.  When you park you will see the boardwalk that goes over the marsh and gets you closer to the original site. 

The administration building has rest rooms and water fountains in the “free” area.  The back of the building has an excellent small museum with artifacts and interactive displays that tell the rest of the story.  There is a $2.00 charge for adults and children over 6 and it is well worth the price.

During the British siege of 1740 the British were encamped here.  The Spanish soldiers supplemented by white and black militia companies attacked early on the morning of June 26th and after desperate and bloody fighting killed many and captured the survivors.  This battle became the “Battle of Bloody Mose”  and is reenacted every June.  This first fort was destroyed during the battle.

In June they dedicate one weekend to living history and have reenactors there demonstrating cooking and domestic crafts as well as firing muskets and cannon.  The scheduled days are: June 21st – 22nd

The Fort was rebuilt in 1752 on a site nearby on the creek and the Free Black settlement continued in operation until the British period began in 1763 and the Black settlers went to Cuba with the Spanish residents.  The Fort was partially destroyed in 1775 and completely destroyed in 1812.

These two Fort sites were lost over the years until rediscovered using infrared photography.  The sites have been inundated and the marsh had swallowed them so that only the footprints have survived.

Contributed by Harry Metz