City can begin sales of Castillo tickets in Quarter

Castillo de San Marcos Superintendent Gordie Wilson told Historic City News reporters and commissioners at their meeting this week, that, as early as this month, the City of St. Augustine could be selling tickets for admission to the fort.

Historic City News previously reported on the transfer of management of certain state-owned properties from the City to the University of Florida; however, an agreement was reached to allow the City of St. Augustine to continue to manage the Colonial Spanish Quarter.

The National Park Service office in Washington has approved the sale of Castillo tickets in the Colonial Spanish Quarter and there may be some commission earned by the City acting as sales agents. But, the big hope for the City is eventual joint ticket sales to the Castillo and Quarter which City official say will be “a strong revenue generator”.

Such a joint sales program is included in the university’s “St. Augustine Historic Area Strategic Plan”, according to the City’s Department of Public Affairs.

Wilson noted cross-promotion seems to follow with the National Park Service 1977 master plan for a “unified interpretation of Spanish Colonial history” in St. Augustine.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer