Ponce de Leon at Charlotte Harbor

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, circa 1961

1. Ponce de Leon at Charlotte Harbor Marker

Inscription. On his first voyage to Florida in 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon spent several weeks at or near the mouth of Charlotte Harbor. When attacked by Indians he returned to Puerto Rico. In 1521, Ponce de Leon, with two shiploads of colonists, returned to Charlotte Harbor. The colony lasted five months before it collapsed due to illness and Indian hostility. Ponce de Leon was wounded and died in Cuba shortly after the colonists returned.

Erected 1961 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Monuments. (Marker Number F-53.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1513.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 26° 54.583′ N, 82° 5.726′ W. Marker was in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. It was on Ponce de Leon Parkway 0.6 miles south of North Marion Court, on the left when traveling south. Marker was in the loop of the park. It has been missing since at least the late 80s and is assumed permanently missing. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

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Regionally, this marker was on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It was also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: The Description and Naming of Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Ponce de Leon (within shouting distance of this marker); First White Man Dies in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds (within shouting distance of this marker); Southernmost Railroad Terminal (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Boating History of Punta Gorda (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Long Dock (approx. 2.3 miles away); Historic Spanish Anchor (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Punta Gorda.

Other markers no longer nearby. Mound Cities By the Sea (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Discoveries of Juan Ponce de Leon (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Ponce de Leon Historical Park (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Ponce de Leon Park. (Submitted on February 28, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,874 times since then and 132 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.