Good Day to all! Did you know that over 500 years ago this past March 3, an expedition sailed from San Juan Bautista (Puerto Rico) eventually reaching the shores of what we know today as Florida? Juan Ponce de Leon was born, it’s believed in the early 1470’s, in the Kingdom of Castile and Leon. His home village, Santervas de Campos, is northwest of Madrid in today’s Spanish province of Valladolid, just west of its capital city of the same name.
The member of a noble family, he distinguished himself in the Spanish campaigns waged by Ferdinand and Isabella of Aragon and Castile, against the Emirate of Granada. After the Moors’ defeat and the Christian re-conquest of southeastern Spain in 1492, like many men-at-arms with little to do, Juan Ponce sought opportunities abroad.
Christopher Columbus had recently completed his first journey to the “New World”, so, seeking riches and adventure, Ponce joined Columbus’ second voyage, sailing in September 1493 as a “gentleman volunteer”. Reaching the Caribbean in November, several islands were visited before arriving at their primary destination, Hispaniola, today’s Haiti and the Dominican Republic. One of the islands visited, called Boriquen by the indigenous folk, would play a significant part in the young adventurer’s life.
In 1502, a new governor arrived in Hispaniola with the express task of subjugating the native Tainos people. Due to his major role in the campaign, Ponce was named governor of a frontier province on the island’s east side. He also received a sizeable land grant with sufficient Tainos laborers to farm it. The farm’s strategic location, near the final port-of-call for Spanish ships making the long voyage home, made him very prosperous.
As provincial governor, he also had occasion to meet with inhabitants of the nearby island, Boriquen, which the Spanish initially called San Juan Bautista. Finding the tales of fertile land and gold in the many rivers irresistible, Ponce organized an expedition that left Hispaniola in July 1508. Anchoring in San Juan Bay, he soon established the first European settlement on the island, Caparra. An interesting choice which translates to “Deposit”. Upon returning to Hispaniola in early 1509, the expedition was deemed a success, leading to his appointment as Puerto Rico’s governor in August 1509.
A few years later, rumor reached Spain of undiscovered islands to the northwest of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. Likely to reward Ponce for his service, Ferdinand urged him to seek out the “new” lands, an opportunity he eagerly accepted.
Consequently, in February 1512, a royal contract was issued giving Ponce exclusive rights to any discovery made within the next three years. In addition, he would be appointed governor for life of any new lands but was expected to personally finance all costs. Reference to a “fountain of youth” or rejuvenating waters is found nowhere in the contract.
On March 3, 1513, three ships, the Santiago, the San Cristobal, and the Santa Maria de la Consolacion left Puerto Rico with a crew of around 200. After sailing along the Lucayos (Bahamas) chain of islands for about a month, the fleet turned west across open water for several days before siting land again in early April. Thinking it another island, Ponce went ashore, many believe near present day Saint Augustine, to determine his location and claim the land. Since it was the Easter season, which Spain celebrates as Pascua Florida, he named it Florida.
However, although Juan Ponce is given credit for “discovering” Florida, he may not be the first European to have sited the land. A Portuguese map published eleven years earlier, the Cantino Planisphere, depicts an unnamed land mass north of Cuba. Google Cantino Planisphere and you’ll see a clearly depicted peninsula with two harbors on the west coast. Ponce’s adventures continue in two weeks.
“Did You Know” appears, typically, every other Wednesday, courtesy of this newspaper and the Charlotte County Historical Society. The Society’s mission is to help promote and preserve Charlotte County’s rich history. We are also always looking for volunteers and interested individuals to serve as board members. If you believe our area’s history is as important as we do, please visit Charlotte County Historical Society on-line at https://cchistoricalsociety.com/, or call 941- 769-1270 for more information
Check out History Services’ yearlong project, “Telling Your Stories: History in the Parks”. It began in January 2021 with placement of the first interpretive sign “Charlotte Harbor Spa” at South County Regional Park. The last was dedicated December 15, 2021 at Centennial Park featuring Florida postcards. All dedicated signs can be viewed at online library resources. Select “Programs and Services”, then “History Services” and “Virtual Programs”.
Visit the same site to access recently released oral histories featuring 40 local folks. Select “History Services” and scroll down, or phone 941-629-7278, to find out what history related programs and videos are available.
August 14 column
