The town did benefit from the construction of a fine new seawall, a project which had been talked about for many years and on which some work had been done earlier.

   The old Spanish bulkhead along the bayfront had almost disintegrated when the United States took over (1821), and the waves often rolled over the barrier into the streets and town. Storms washed away orange groves, undermined houses, sent water sweeping completely over the peninsula, and once deposited a large boat against the side of a building in town.

   Even the footings of Fort Marion were washing away. In response to a petition from St. Augustine's citizens, Congress appropriated $20,000 in 1833 to rebuild the seawall. Lieutenant Stephen Tuttle began work the next year, building south from the fort until his funds ran out with the wall only half completed.

   In 1836, about a year after the start of the Second Seminole War, the army began to erect a new seawall, tearing out Tuttle's work and building a more substantial line a few feet further out in the water.

   During 1837 and 1838 the seawall was completed all the way to St. Francis Barracks. At several points there were stairways leading down to the water, and in front of the plaza and Barracks there were partly enclosed basins where small boats might be tied up.

   The finished work became one of the town's prize landmarks.