Spanish Coquina Quarries - St. Augustine Beach, FL
N 29° 52.757 W 081° 17.125
17R E 472438 N 3305443
The Spanish Coquina Quarries are located in the Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine Beach, Florida. They were added to the National Register in 1972.
Waymark Code: WMAYNM
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2011
Views: 19
An historical marker at the site provides the following information about the Old Spanish Quarries: "About 200 yards south-east of this point are the remains of the King's Coquina Quarries. (Coquina, a type of limestone composed of mollusk shells and sand, is found along the north-east coast of Florida.) Coquina was used in the building of many early colonial structures in St. Augustine, including the fortress Castillo de San Marcos (1672-1696)."
From the Florida Division of Historical Resources website:
"St. Augustine Beach SPANISH COQUINA QUARRIES Fl. A1A on Anastasia Island. 17th and 18th centuries. Quarries on island opened in late 17th century. Coquina stone consists of ground shells held loosely together by a calcareous cement formed by the reaction of water, sand, and calcium. Coquina hardens when dried. Stone transported to St. Augustine, where it was used in the construction of many buildings including Castillo de San Marcos. Public. N.R. 1972."