Union forces attempted to disrupt Confederate trade through naval operations and incursions along the coast. Battles, including the Battle of Natural Bridge nearby, affected St. Marks indirectly by shaping regional control and supply lines.
Reconstruction and Postwar Recovery
Following the Civil War, St. Marks faced economic and social challenges as the port’s trade diminished and regional agriculture struggled to recover. Local residents rebuilt infrastructure, restored maritime operations, and adapted to new political and economic realities.
Federal investments in transportation and coastal navigation, including improvements to the lighthouse and river channels, facilitated gradual economic recovery.
Timber, Lumber, and Industrial Development
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, St. Marks capitalized on its abundant forests. Timber harvesting, sawmills, and naval stores (tar, pitch, and turpentine) became key industries.
These industries provided employment, encouraged settlement, and supported ancillary businesses such as shipping, blacksmithing, and trade. The city’s identity as a working port and industrial hub strengthened during this period. shutdown123