Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza, Florida.
Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza was a Spanish fort established in 1722 on Santa Rosa Island in Pensacola, Florida.
It replaced Presidio Santa Maria de Galve, which the French had burned down when they departed. The new Presidio was established on the north shore of Santa Rosa Island and named for the Spanish scientist and explorer Carlos de Sigüenza y Gongora. The fort was on the island’s west side, and a village on the east. The village comprised about 40 buildings, including an impressive octagonal church and the governor’s house.
Throughout its existence, the Presidio was plagued by Gulf hurricanes, which damaged buildings and endangered residents. On November 3, 1752, a powerful hurricane hit the island and destroyed all but two of the Presidio’s buildings. It was then decided to move the Presidio to the mainland, but the move did not begin until 1756. A new presidio was then built and called Presidio San Miguel de Panzacola. Another hurricane destroyed the last remnants of the Presidio in 1762.
The site was south of the old Navy Yard, where Fort Pickens is in Pensacola on the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated February 2026.
Also See:
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Presidio San Miguel de Panzacola.
See Sources.