Spanish Coquina Quarries, Historic quarries in Anastasia State Park, Florida.
The Spanish Coquina Quarries are historic extraction sites within Anastasia State Park where colonists mined shell-based limestone. The grounds contain sixteen distinct dig areas that remain visible across the landscape today.
Spanish settlers began mining stone here in the late 1600s to build the Castillo de San Marcos and other structures in St. Augustine. These quarries were essential to the city's construction and development.
The quarries show how Spanish settlers used local stone to construct their colonial city. Walking through the site, you notice how this work shaped the appearance of St. Augustine.
The site is accessible daily within a state park setting, so comfortable shoes and staying on marked paths are important. Early morning visits often provide the best conditions and fewer crowds for exploration.
The shell limestone hardens and becomes stronger over time when exposed to air, making it an unusually durable material for the ages. This natural process of strengthening allowed the city's structures to survive for centuries without failing.
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