Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer and the first explorer to set foot in North America. De Leon was one of the many people to influence Florida, as we know it today. De Leon is a highly recognized for being Florida’s first resident and governor.
Ponce de Leon was a Spanish Explorer who was born in 1460. He sailed to Florida from Puerto Rico in 1513. Shortly thereafter, de Leon and his crew arrived at Florida’s east coast, near St. Augustine. He claimed the land for Spain and called it La Florida which translates to “place of flowers.” Ponce de Leon continued down the east coast of Florida and along the keys. He entered the Charlotte Harbour area as he came up the west coast. De Leon and his crew explored inland for wood and water and saw the Calusa tribal village at Mound Key. They discovered the Calusa tribe were unfriendly and retreated to their ships to return back to Puerto Rico. …show more content…
De Leon brought two ships and a crew of approximately two-hundred people. They brought horses, tools, and seeds along with them. De Leon’s plan was to set up a farming colony. As the settlers started to travel inland, they were ambushed by the Calusa tribe. This attack left de Leon fatally wounded, with an arrow through his thigh. As a result of this wound, the settlers decided to abandon their settlement and sail to Havana, Cuba. The wound left de Leon with no hope of surviving and he died in Cuba at the age of 61. This tragedy left Florida unable to be colonized until 1545.
Ponce de Leon is believed to have been the first explorer to reach Florida. Although he managed to become the governor of Florida, due to his injuries, he and his settlers had to abandon the settlement. Ponce de Leon will always be remembered for being a brave conquistador who was the first to explore many parts of the great state of
Ponce de Leon was a Spanish Explorer who was born in 1460. He sailed to Florida from Puerto Rico in 1513. Shortly thereafter, de Leon and his crew arrived at Florida’s east coast, near St. Augustine. He claimed the land for Spain and called it La Florida which translates to “place of flowers.” Ponce de Leon continued down the east coast of Florida and along the keys. He entered the Charlotte Harbour area as he came up the west coast. De Leon and his crew explored inland for wood and water and saw the Calusa tribal village at Mound Key. They discovered the Calusa tribe were unfriendly and retreated to their ships to return back to Puerto Rico. …show more content…
De Leon brought two ships and a crew of approximately two-hundred people. They brought horses, tools, and seeds along with them. De Leon’s plan was to set up a farming colony. As the settlers started to travel inland, they were ambushed by the Calusa tribe. This attack left de Leon fatally wounded, with an arrow through his thigh. As a result of this wound, the settlers decided to abandon their settlement and sail to Havana, Cuba. The wound left de Leon with no hope of surviving and he died in Cuba at the age of 61. This tragedy left Florida unable to be colonized until 1545.
Ponce de Leon is believed to have been the first explorer to reach Florida. Although he managed to become the governor of Florida, due to his injuries, he and his settlers had to abandon the settlement. Ponce de Leon will always be remembered for being a brave conquistador who was the first to explore many parts of the great state of