May 28th Over to Parris Island

Went over to Parris Island this morning, first stop was by the old house, met the CG's daughter, Chloe- nice young lady. 

 

Then drove out to the golf course, and to the Santa Elena Historical Site:

Saw several markers, but the trail had recent storm damage, so I missed a few:

Aqui Estuvo España (Here Was Spain)

 

 

By Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

1. Aqui Estuvo España Marker

Inscription. En respetuoso recuerdo de los Españoles que entre 1566 y 1587 dejaron aqui huella de su paso para gloria de España, y en agradecimiento a los Americanos benemeritos que hoy, con su trabaios rinden culto a su memoriay a la historia comun de España y los Estados Unidos de América.

In respectful tribute to the memory of those Spaniards who left their mark here between 1566 and 1587 while in quest of their country's glory and in grateful recognition to the distinguished Americans who today, with their work pay homage to the memory of those heroes and the history shared by the two nations, Spain and the United States of America.

Los Caballeros de la Orden del Mar Oceano Santa Elana 12 de Octubre de 1982
Dia de la Hispandid — Hispanic Heritage Day

And this one, next to it:

Northern Most Known Bastion of Spanish Florida

 

 

 

1. Northern Most Known Bastion of Spanish Florida Marker

Inscription. Less than three decades after Columbus had discovered America, on Aug. 18, 1521 ( St. Helena's Day ), Spanish seafarers from Santo Domingo sighted this magnificent harbor, named its Eastern headland the Punta de Santa Elena, from which the area derived its name, and claimed it for the King of Spain. For nearly half a century this was the mecca of Spain's repeatedly frustrated efforts to plant a settlement on the Atlantic Coast, Not however until after Ribaut's garrison had abandoned Charlesfort, at what he had called Port Royal, did Menéndez de Avilés arrive to prevent further incursions by the French, to assert Spanish sovereignty, and to Christianize the natives. Dispatched by Phillip II of Spain in 1565 with a fleet of vessels and over 2500 colonists, he had made his landfall at Cape Canaveral, expelled the French from Fort Caroline on the River May, established and fortified St. Augustine, and wreaked vengeance on the returning Rebault. In the summer of 1567 he proceeded to Santa Elena, apparently his original destination; here he planted Fort San Felipe, the northernmost known bastion of the province of Florida and built the city planned for its development.

For twenty years Spain's tenure was marked by varying degrees of success, marred by disintegrating relations with the Indians, who destroyed the Fort and the settlement
in 1577. The fortress was promptly replaced by Fort San Marcos, its palisades made of cedar logs brought from St. Augustine; but the settlement remained in ashes until 1580 when it was rebuilt to its former condition - - some sixty odd buildings, half of which were tabby. Partially governed by its inhabitants, it furnished what was possibly the first instance of the use of the democratic process, and of woman suffrage in the New World.

Both the Fort and the settlement were abandoned in 1587 when the inhabitants were withdrawn to St. Augustine to strengthen its defenses following Sir Francis Drake's raid of the previous year.

On way back we stopped in Port Royal for 2 NRHP sites:

The F.W. Scheper Store building

Mt Union Church, which had a National Register plaque on it.

Also stopped in at Brick Baptist Church which is part of Penn Center, and got these shots

 

An old water tower

Perhaps an old parsonage building

An old bike, probably the main form of transportation at Penn Center

                       Left over from yesterday, the Verdier House Downtown.

 

 



Saw these plates as well: