Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 1, 2024

1. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park Marker

Inscription. The Fountain of Youth Park commemorates the 1513 arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon in Florida and the legend of the Fountain of Youth. People have lived on this site for over 3,000 years, since the Archaic Period of Florida's history. In 1565 Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the first successful European colony in North America at St. Augustine and his first settlement was built here on the grounds of the Fountain of Youth Park. At that time it was part of the large Timucua town of Chief Seloy. After nine months, Timucua resistance forced the Spaniards to move the colony across the bay. In 1572 it was moved back to the mainland to its current location. In 1587 the first Franciscan mission to the American Indians was built here and named Nombre de Dios. The Mission remained here until the middle of the 17th century. Archaeological excavations at the Fountain of Youth Park since 1934 have revealed the shell mounds of the Archaic in- habitants, parts of Seloy's town, remains of the Spanish colony and the church and cemetery of the Nombre de Dios mission. There may be no other single property in Florida that

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contains such an array of important archaeological resources for our state's early history.

Erected 2008 by The Fraser Family and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-637.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1513.

Location. 29° 54.452′ N, 81° 18.947′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. It can be reached from the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Williams Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Magnolia Ave, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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,

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 1, 2024

2. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park Marker

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: Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Pedro Menéndez de Aviles (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (within shouting distance of this marker); First Spanish Muster Site in Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Common Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 1, 2024

3. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 299 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.