The Wandering Disciple

During the Civil War, the Underground Railroad was a network of paths and hiding places to help slaves escape slavery and head to freedom. But did you know that there was a similar set-up during the Colonial period? This field was once the site of Fort Mose and provided a safe haven for slaves escaping the Virginia Colony. In 1738 the governor of Spanish Florida declared Fort Mose the first sanctioned free black settlement and protected those seeking asylum in La Florida.  While the fort no longer exists, the site has been protected as part of the Fort Mose Historic State Park. It is viewed as the premier site of the Florida Black History Trail and viewed as the precursor to the Underground Railroad by the National Park System. A trail takes you through the marsh that once housed the fort and the park features a museum that tells the story about Fort Mose and its mission of freedom.  Taken: November 12, 2011 at Fort Mose Historic State Park (St Augustine, FL)

Long before the Civil War era Underground Railroad, there was a slave asylum located along a salt marsh in northern Florida.  In the late 1600's, Spanish government offered asylum for slaves if they go to Florida, convert to Catholicism and four years military service for men.  As a result, Fort Mose was born.  The men that came here were the first line of defense for the Spanish city of St Augustine.  Remnants of the fort were discovered in an archaeological dig in 1986 and today the land is protected as part of the Fort Mose Historic State Park.  (Photo: November 12, 2011) 

This boardwalk over the marsh just outside St Augustine was once the site of Fort Mose, the first Black settlement in North America. In 1738, Governor Manuel de Montiano ordered the creation of a fort north of the city. Slaves that were able to escape their British captors were sent here where they were declared free and given the opportunity to serve in the Spanish army.  Today the ruins of the fort are considered the premier site on the Florida Black History Trail.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

A Little Blue Heron stands motionless along the water at Fort Mose State Park just outside downtown Saint Augustine.  These wading birds can be found long the banks of Florida waterways searching for their next meal.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

The boardwalk at Fort Mose State Park takes you into the wetlands that was once the first free African American settlement in the United States. Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de More was sanction in 1738 by the Spanish Governor of Florida and was a sanctuary for African Americans for over 25 years. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

A wetland is all that remains of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, also known as Fort Mose. Fort Mose Historic State Park is the site of the first black settlement in the United States. Established in 1738, the fort is considered a precursor to the Underground Railroad. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

This empty field is all that remains of the site where the civil rights campaign truly began. Fort Mose was the site of the first free African settlement in the United States. Its significance in helping British slaves escape, it is known as a precursor to the Underground Railroad in later years. (Photo: November 12, 2012)

A little blue heron sits on the boardwalk at Fort Mose State Park. The park lies just north of downtown St. Augustine and features a 1/4 mile linear boardwalk trail. The 49 acre park is on the Great Florida Birding Trail and is home to resident and migratory birds. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

St. Augustine, Florida: An open marsh field on the north side of town is all the remains of the first free black settlement in the United States. It was here where British slaves sought asylum from slavery and served in the Spanish military. The Spanish Government officially declared freedom to British slaves in 1693. In exchange for freedom, they agreed to convert to Catholic faith and provide four years service to the Spanish Crown. The provided service was to serve in the Spanish militia in the Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose (Fort Mose). They served in the militia at Fort Mose until it was destroyed by British forces in 1740. Today, no structures remain at the site of the original Fort Mose. An elevated boardwalk leads to the field where the fort once stood. There is also an interpretive museum to help tell the story of the fort and its inhabitants. Fort Mose is believed to be the precursor to the Underground Railroad System. Its impact on American history has led to i...

St. Augustine, Florida: Well we made it through the cold night. The lowest I noticed the temp overnight was 40 degrees. That last minute stop at Wal-Mart to grab a heater paid off as it did the trick to keep the tent just warm enough to get through the night. Now if only I wouldn’t had forgotten the air mattresses. The cold night rewarded us with a spectacular sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. We headed to the boardwalk overlook to watch the sun peak over the horizon and welcome us to a new day of adventures. Today was going to be a busy day so we began by heading for breakfast. We decided to have breakfast at Wildflower Café on A1A in St. Augustine Beach. They were highly recommended locally so we gave them a try. It was a bit pricey for breakfast but the food was delicious. My wife had a ham and cheese omelet and my son and I had pancakes. The best part of the meal was the bacon, I could have eaten a lot more but we had a town to explore. After breakfast we headed to Fort Mose Histori...