Near Hastings in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Florida’s Adventurous Spirit

America 250FL Road Trip

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

1. Florida’s Adventurous Spirit Marker

Inscription. Juan Ponce de León (c. 1474-1521), for whom Leon County, Florida, is named, was a Spanish explorer and adventurer. In April 1513, he made the first documented European landing on Florida's Atlantic coast, between present-day St. Augustine and Melbourne Beach, and claimed the lush territory, naming it "La Florida," in search of the Fountain of Youth.

Following discovery, he served as Puerto Rico's first governor, charted the Gulf Stream, and sparked Spain's colonial expansion in North America. His 1521 return attempt ended when he was fatally wounded, sealing his legacy as Florida's earliest European explorer.

Erected by Florida Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1513.

Location. 29° 42.131′ N, 81° 19.623′ W. Marker is near Hastings, Florida, in St. Johns County. It can be reached from Interstate 95 3.9 miles north of Dixie Highway (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the I-95 Northbound Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker

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is in this post office area: Hastings FL 32145, 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, 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Florida Honors and Remembers our POW’s and MIA’s (a few steps from this marker); Florida’s Pioneer Spirit (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Florida Honors and Remembers our POW’s and MIA’s (approx. one mile away); Double Bridges and the Old King's Road 1772 (approx. 4.2 miles away); Historical and Archaeological Sites (approx. 4.6 miles away); Colonial Road (approx. 4.6 miles away); The History of Hewitt Sawmill (approx. 4.6 miles away); Colonial Buildings

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

2. Florida’s Adventurous Spirit Marker

(approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hastings.

Also see . . . America 250 St. Augustine: Home. (Submitted on December 5, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Greetings from St. Augustine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

3. Greetings from St. Augustine

Home of
Flagler College

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.