Punta Gorda in Charlotte County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First White Man Dies in America
Bahia del Espiritu Santo-1513
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 18, 2014
1. First White Man Dies in America Marker
Inscription.
First White Man Dies in America. Bahia del Espiritu Santo-1513. On this day, May 24, ships were sent to seek a mainland colony site and to sound and chart the newly found “Bay of the Holy Spirit” (Charlotte Harbor). For three weeks explorations continued, seldom by land. There were at least three meetings with the Caloosas; once they offered “guanin” (low gold) and skins for trade and promised more. But in other meetings fighting erupted and “several Indians” and one Spaniard were killed. Thus the first white man died in America, victim of Indian arrows and the place of his death was called “Matanca” (Pine Island).
On this day, May 24, ships were sent to seek a mainland colony site and to sound and chart the newly found “Bay of the Holy Spirit” (Charlotte Harbor). For three weeks explorations continued, seldom by land. There were at least three meetings with the Caloosas; once they offered “guanin” (low gold) and skins for trade and promised more. But in other meetings fighting erupted and “several Indians” and one Spaniard were killed. Thus the first white man died in America, victim of Indian arrows and the place of his death was called “Matanca” (Pine Island).
Erected by The City of Punta Gorda, Florida, in cooperation with Punta Gorda Isles, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is May 24, 1513.
Location. 26° 54.613′ N, 82° 5.744′ W. Marker is in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. Marker is on Ponce de Leon Parkway, 0.9 miles west of Colony Point Drive, on the right when traveling south. This marker is located in Ponce de Leon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,154 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on April 28, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
