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Diego Espinosa established his ranch
Source: A Report on Fort Diego, Palm Valley #98
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(Jones) Fort Diego, an 18th century fortified ranch house located in the Palm Valley Section of St. Johns County, Florida, is featured in histories relative to Northeast Florida. Since, however, the actual site of this fort has not been established, it shall be the purpose of this report to point out the place where it was likely situated. In order to bring this report into proper focus, however, it will be necessary first to discuss the activities of "Diego Espinosa," the builder of the fort; second to describe the attack on this fort by General Oglethorpe in 1740; and, last to present documentary and material evidence relative to this place. At this time, it should be pointed out that the present Palm Valley Section was originally known as "Diego," presumably named after Diego Espinosa. In time, it was called simply, "Dago," and the nearby seashore "Dago Beach." DON DIEGO ESPINOSA Don Diego Espinosa, a citizen of St. Augustine, Florida, was best known because of his involvement in a cattle ranch and a military confrontation which occurred at this ranch. Diego had established this ranch around 1730, (Diego Espinosa, Events in Florida in 1737, Florida Herald Southern Democrat, St. Augustine, Florida: January 17, 1839) in the present Palm Valley Section of St. Johns County. Soon after, he found that it was necessary to enclose the living quarters of the ranch with a wooden palisade in order to protect his workers from the marauding Indians. The palisade, some 15 feet in height, was equipped with bastions at two corers to protect the curtain walls, but had no outer defenses such as a dry moat. Later, the Spanish Governor at St. Augustine spared Diego a small detachment of troops, as well as a complement of small cannon. The place then became known as "Fort Diego."
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