The Spanish town of Fernandina was first planned in 1769, when the site was occupied by an army detachment. The Plaza could be fortified as a defensive work. A fort, including a battery of three cannons, was established in 1801. Most of the original site is now an open grassy area, marked by a State of Florida Historic Marker. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely picnic on the grass, with a view of Victorian era homes and the Amelia River.