Bread for British troops baked here at the King's Bakery, a coquina structure raised during the British period of 1763 to 1783. Located on Marine Street with its rear facing Matanzas Bay, it was constructed to supply bread to the British troops quartered across the street at the St. Francis Barracks. That barracks building formerly housed Franciscan friars during the First Spanish Period (1565–1763); the monastery was used by the British as military barracks.
The bakery is believed to be the only structure remaining in St. Augustine built entirely during the British period. Since then it has served as a storeroom for flour, a military hospital, and offices. The old bakery is part of the St. Francis Barracks military compound, which since 1907 has served as the headquarters of the Florida National Guard.
In 1934 it was converted for use as a garage. Picture the lives this building supported, from the bakers and soldiers of the British period to later military uses. Picture the bread that once fed British troops garrisoned just across the street, and notice how this coquina structure still faces Matanzas Bay.