Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Pathway to Early America

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

1. Pathway to Early America Marker

Inscription. In 1559, Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano sailed from Vera Cruz to Pensacola Bay in La Florida, to establish as the first permanent colony. The bay, also known as Ochuse and Panzacola, was reached by this sea pathway on August 15, 1559. A hurricane in September destroyed most of the 11 ships, horses, and supplies killing many of the 1000 colonists, soldiers, and servants. This first effort failed by 1561, and would not succeed until 1698 when Ft. San Carlos de Austria and the town of Santa Maria de Galve were built on the present Naval Air Station. The exact location of de Luna's first site is unknown.

Erected by National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, Project of the 2000-2008 Administration. Mary Ann Groome Hepler, National President.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1559.

Location. 30° 20.97′ N, 87° 17.538′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is on Slemmer Avenue

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north of Hatch Road, on the left when traveling north. Located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Access is limited. Obtain permission before proceeding on base and to the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pensacola FL 32508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 walking distance of this marker: First Pensacola (here, next to this marker); Spain to Pensacola (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish Water Battery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort McRee (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barrancas in Coastal Defenses (approx. 0.3 miles away); Restoring a Fort (approx. 0.3 miles

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

2. Pathway to Early America Marker

away); Fort Barrancas Area (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barrancas Trench (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano. (Submitted on October 9, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 421 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.