ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The nation’s oldest masonry fort stands silent on day 17 of the government shutdown, its gates locked to disappointed visitors who traveled from near and far to explore the historic landmark.
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine’s crown jewel and a major tourist attraction, has joined the growing list of federal facilities affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
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“A lot of the visitors that come from overseas don’t like seeing that,” says Victor Cabrera, a furloughed maintenance work leader at the National Park Service.
The impact extends beyond tourists. Park employees like Cabrera have been furloughed since the shutdown’s inception.
“On the 1st, we came in and that’s when we got the notice of being furloughed, and I haven’t been back since,” Cabrera explains, adding that this marks his third experience with a government shutdown.
Local tour operators have adapted to the closure by conducting tours around the fort. One elementary school group maintained its annual visit tradition but could only view the historic structure from the outside.
The shutdown’s timing has caught many visitors off guard. Tourists from Chicago and former Flagler College students alike arrived at the fort unaware of the closure.
Despite the obstacles, Cabrera maintains an optimistic outlook. “Lessons learned every time,” he says. “I have to look forward.”
The fort, which typically charges $15 for adult admission and welcomes over 600,000 visitors annually, will remain closed until Congress resolves the budget impasse.
Built between 1672 and 1695, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. The Spanish constructed it to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, with its distinctive star-shaped design and strategic cannon placement making it an unconquered fortress throughout its history.