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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured

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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); First Punta Gorda Home Site (approx. 3 miles away); Albert Waller Gilchrist (approx. 3 miles away); City of Punta Gorda (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Punta Gorda.

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 254 times since then and 41 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.