Staff Pick: This is one of the news stories our staff is reading this week.

Northeast Florida has five fantastic history-changing forts that are fun to visit. Each began life at a different time and has an interesting story to tell. All have costumed re-enactors at certain times, and they are all are near beaches and many other attractions.

1. Fort Matanzas

Matanzas is Spanish for “slaughter” or “massacre.” Fort Matanzas earned its name in 1565 before they built a fort. France and Spain were competing for control of North America. France already had a struggling colony near present-day Jacksonville (that’s the next fort).

Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived in Florida to found a Spanish colony in 1565. Jean Ribault, the French commander, attempted to engage Menendez, but a hurricane wrecked his plans and two ships. While Ribault was slogging his way back from the shipwreck site, Menendez destroyed the French colony. He then captured and executed almost all of Ribault’s men at the inlet about 14 miles south of Saint Augustine. In 1569, the Spanish built first a wooden watchtower at Saint Augustine, then later Fort Matanzas as protection against British ships also attempting to gain control of the continent.

Now, it’s a national park. When I visit, I enjoy the ferry ride over from the mainland to tiny Rattlesnake Island where the fort is. And no, I’ve never seen a rattlesnake on the island, but be sure to bring mosquito repellant. The ferry runs between the fort and the Anastasia Island portion of the park from 9 to 5 daily except Christmas. The fort is built of native coquina. During its occupation, it housed 7 to 10 enlisted men and one junior officer.

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