Evidence of the occupation of the St. Joseph Peninsula by
Native Americans includes the Old Cedar site, the Eagle Harbor site and the Harrier site, occupied by people of
Weeden Island culture. The Old Cedar and Eagle Harbor site also have artifacts from the
Fort Walton culture, and the Eagle Harbor site has artifacts from the
Swift Creek culture. The Spanish named the bay
Bahía de San José early in the 16th century, but did not occupy or exploit the area through the 17th century. In 1701 they built a fortification, the
Presidio Bahía de San José de Valladeres, on the mainland opposite St. Joseph Point, with a lookout post on the point, but left two years later. In 1718, during the
War of the Quadruple Alliance, the French invaded St. Joseph Bay and established Fort Crevecouer on the shores of St. Joseph Bay opposite St. Joseph Point. The Spanish in turn sent 800 men to retake St. Joseph Bay. After pushing the French out of the area in 1719, the
Presidio Bahía de San José de Nueva Asturias was established on St. Joseph Point. With the loss of
Pensacola to France that year, the new presidio was designated the capital of the newly created Province of the Principality of Nueva Asturias. The presidio, with about 2,000 inhabitants, lasted until 1722, when the post was moved to
Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza near Pensacola on
Santa Rosa Island. The
St. Joseph Bay Light was established on St. Joseph Point in 1838 to serve the new town of
St. Joseph on the eastern shore of the bay. The light was discontinued in 1847, after the town had been abandoned, and the unused tower was destroyed in a storm in 1851. ==Park==