One of a Series of Brief Sketches of Historic Interest, Which Will Supply Information to Tourists and Home Folks
No. 10—The City Gates The City Gates, which guarded change of flags. A number of the entrance to the city in olden
days, now mark practically the middle of the modern town, so great has been the growth of population in the northern section of St. Augustine during past years.
The gates as seen today are two picturesque pillars of coquina, surmounted with Moorish capitals and bearing marks of great antiquity. Between these, in olden times, was the iron gate, which barred the way to all comers after nightfall, and was closed in daytime hours upon signal of danger. On either side of the gates extended a wall. There was also a moat or deep ditch filled with water, and a hedge formed of double rows of the Spanish bayonet, by way of further protection. Whoever has come against the sharp spear-like leaves of the Spanish bayonet can realize that a double hedge of these would made a most effective barrier.
The moat extended to the very end of what is now Orange street, and, like all Spanish government property, became the property of the U. S. government after the
years ago school authorities of St. Augustine secured the grant of this moat property from the government, witli the understanding that it was to be used for school purposes. The moat was filled, and the Orange street junior high and grammar School is built there, also the school dental clinic, built and endowed by the late John T. Dismukes.
One historian gives the description of the City Gates in 17S3, saying that entrance to the city was gained by a drawbridge over the fosse and through the gate. When the sunset gun was fired the gate was barred and the guards took station. After the closing of the gates, the belated wayfarer, be he friend or foe, must make the best of it outside the town until morning. The little sentry boxes on cither side may be seen as one makes an inspection of the gates.
A romantic novel “When the Land Was Young,” by Lafayette McLaws, written some years ago, weaves some of its thrilling happenings of olden days about St.
Augustine, and makes relercncc to~ the ancient gates of the city, emphasizing the fact that criminals, or those whom the Spanish dons honored with their enmity, were often punished by being hung in
St,Augustine in History