Place

Spanish Guard Room 2

This second Spanish Guard room is accessed through the first Spanish Guard room. A white wooden door, with black bolts and a sliding metal locking bar, opens into the room. The room is about 20 feet wide by 30 feet long, with an arched ceiling about 12 feet high. The room has several illuminated glass panels that frame sections of the walls. It also has a window, fireplace, and several exhibits. All exhibits are in English and Spanish.  If, after entering the room, you turn to face left, this describes the room, going from left to right:  Along the left wall are three of the illuminated glass panels. In front of each is an exhibit relating to wall carvings behind the glass. A brief summary for each exhibit panel includes:  A Spanish Fleet: A sketch of a sailing ship. Text explains that Spanish soldiers made the carvings of the fleets on the walls.  American Flags on Foreign Ships: A sketch of a sailing ship with a striped flag mounted on the stern. Text explains that British ships like this are carved into this wall and the north wall. U.S. soldiers may have added American flags to the carvings.  Etched, Burned, and Scrawled: Photos and sketches show letters of the alphabet are carved into the wall. Some are written backwards. Text explains that this wall contains 200 year old graffiti left by former soldiers. Soldiers of the 18th century were usually illiterate, so the artists may have just been learning to read and write.  At the left corner of back wall is a curved block fireplace with a smooth top shaped like a half cone. The opening to the fireplace is protected by a clear plastic panel. At the top of the back wall is a 5 foot by 6 foot window, with metal bars, and shutters that open inward.  Below the window is another illuminated glass panel and an exhibit, titled,  British Ships: A line drawing shows a sailing ship with a large striped flag. The text explains that although we don’t know who made the ship carvings, it could have been Spanish soldiers. They would often have seen British ships in battle. An American soldier probably added the U.S. flag.  On the right wall is the entrance to the carcel, or prison. Exhibits on either side of that door are audio described separately.  Behind you, on the back wall, is another exhibit panel, titled,  A Mysterious Note: A diagram shows several, faded, handwritten words. Text explains that someone carved a message in old Spanish. Yet, so many letters have been worn off, that the message is illegible.  The carcel or prison entrance is located on the east wall with exhibits on either side of the door that are audio described separately.

Quick Facts

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

During Spanish occupation, soldiers did not live inside the Castillo. They walked to work from their homes in town. The soldiers detailed to be on guard duty would have used these rooms to rest, cook food, and spend free time socializing and playing games.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

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Last updated: February 11, 2021