Ponce de Leon Historical Park

Dedicated to America's First Colony

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, circa 1993

1. Ponce de Leon Historical Park Marker

Inscription. The first European settlement in what is now the United States was established on the shores of Charlotte Harbor by explorer Juan Ponce de Leon and a band of more than 200 soldiers, priests, farmers, artisans and monks. The colony lasted for about six months, finally collapsing after a battle with hostile Caloosa Indians in which Juan Ponce was mortally wounded. The exact location of the colony is still unknown, but it pre-dated the Jamestown colony and the Pilgrim landings by nearly a century, and the establishment of St. Augustine by a quarter of a century.

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 • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1521.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 26° 54.647′ N, 82° 5.716′ W. Marker was in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. It was on Ponce de Leon Parkway half a mile south of North Marion Court, on the right when traveling south. Marker was up in 1993 but missing by 1995. Touch for map. Marker

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was at or near this postal address: 3400 Ponce De Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds (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); The Description and Naming of Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Southernmost Railroad Terminal (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Boating History of Punta Gorda (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Long Dock (approx. 2.3

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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. Discoveries of Juan Ponce de Leon (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Mound Cities By the Sea (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Ponce de Leon at Charlotte Harbor (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Ponce de Leon Historical Park. Calusa is the correct spelling for the Indians he encountered and not Caloosa.

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 932 times since then and 90 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.