St. Augustine, Charleston, and the Forgotten French Settlement

From our school days, many of us have learned two supposed historical “facts”: that St. Augustine Florida, is America’s oldest city and that the first settlers in America were Spanish. While both statements are widely repeated, they don’t tell the full story.

To understand the real history, we need to take a closer look at St. Augustine and its connection to Charleston history, a narrative that’s far richer and more complex than it first appears.

The Untold Tale of America’s Earliest Settlers

In the mid-1500s, a group of French Huguenots sought refuge in the Americas.

Persecuted in their homeland for their Protestant beliefs, these religious dissidents fled across the Atlantic, looking for a place where they could practice their faith in peace. Their journey brought them to what is now known as Parris Island, South Carolina, part of modern Charleston history.

At the time, Spain had yet to establish settlements in the Americas but had laid claim to an expansive swath of land from modern-day Florida to Virginia. The French settlers, unaware of these Spanish claims, set up a fort and began a new chapter in their lives on what they believed was unclaimed territory.

When Spain learned that French Huguenots had erected a fort on Parris Island, they viewed the settlement as a direct challenge to their territorial claims. Spain responded swiftly, dispatching a small armada to assert control. The Spanish forces overwhelmed what remained of the French Huguenot settlement, taking over their fort in 1563.

The Spanish remained on Parris Island for the next 68 years, although after two years they expanded south, where they established what we now know as St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565.

While St. Augustine holds the distinction of being “The oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States”, it’s important to recognize the role of earlier settlements like the French fort on Parris Island in shaping the broader narrative of colonial America.

Charleston History: The Overlooked Chapter

The story of Charleston history and its connection to St. Augustine underscores a lesser-known but pivotal moment in America’s colonial past. Charleston’s proximity to Parris Island places it at the heart of these early struggles for dominance in the New World.

The French Huguenots who initially settled on Parris Island would later play a key role in the development of Charleston.

By the late 1600s, French Protestants fleeing persecution under Louis XIV’s Edict of Fontainebleau (which revoked the Edict of Nantes) arrived in large numbers in the Charleston area.

This influx of Huguenots brought a strong cultural influence that remains part of Charleston history to this day.

St. Augustine’s Legacy

While Charleston played a critical role in early American history, St. Augustine has its own impressive legacy. Founded by Spanish Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine became a strategic foothold for Spain in the Americas, guarding against incursions by other European powers, including the English at Charles Town.

St. Augustine’s historic district today offers a glimpse into its past, with landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine standing as reminders of the city’s Spanish roots.

While the city has earned its title as the oldest continuously occupied European settlement, it’s essential to remember that its establishment came after other attempts at colonization, including the short-lived French presence on Parris Island.

The history of early America is often oversimplified in textbooks, leaving out critical details and lesser-known stories.

The tale of the French Huguenots on Parris Island and their role in Charleston history is a perfect example of this. It reminds us that the founding of St. Augustine, while significant, is just one chapter in a much broader and more intricate narrative.

Understanding the full context helps us appreciate the interconnectedness of Charleston history and St. Augustine. Both cities played unique roles in the colonization of the Americas, and both continue to preserve and celebrate their histories today.

The story of St. Augustine and Charleston history reveals the complexity of early colonial America.

While St. Augustine is often celebrated as the oldest continuously occupied European settlement, it’s crucial to recognize the contributions of earlier settlements, like the French Huguenot fort on Parris Island, and their connection to Charleston history.

By exploring these intertwined histories, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures and events that shaped America’s beginnings. Both St. Augustine and Charleston stand as testaments to the resilience, ambition, and diversity of those who sought a new life in the New World.

Next time you stroll the historic streets of Charleston or visit St. Augustine’s storied landmarks, take a moment to reflect on the lesser-known chapters of their shared history. It’s a reminder that every story has layers, and every layer adds depth to the narrative of who we are today.