Spanish Florida and St. Augustine
Founded in 1565 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in what would become the United States. Spanish colonial efforts focused on establishing missions and fortifications to secure the territory.
The lands surrounding what is now Faver-Dykes State Park were frontier areas used for timber, hunting, and agriculture to support the growing colonial population.
Changes in Land Use
Spanish settlers introduced cattle ranching and farming to northeast Florida, clearing portions of forested land. Indigenous populations declined dramatically due to disease, warfare, and displacement.
By the 18th century, control of Florida alternated between Spain and Britain, further complicating the region's cultural dynamics.
Post-Colonial Era: American Expansion and Land Transformation
American Territorial Period
Following Spain’s cession of Florida to the United States in 1821, settlers from other parts of the country moved into the region, introducing new economic activities.
The pine forests around St. Augustine, including the area now preserved as Faver-Dykes State Park, became sources of timber for construction and naval stores such as tar, pitch, and turpentine.
Timber Industry and Agriculture
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the land was logged extensively. The extraction of timber altered the landscape, with large tracts cleared for farming and ranching.
Despite these changes, many parts of the area retained their natural character due to difficult terrain and the persistence of wetlands. shutdown123