Downtown Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Juan Ponce de León
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 8, 2026
1. Juan Ponce de Leon Marker
Upper plaque:Juan Ponce de Leon
He arrived on Easter Sunday in 1513 looking for the Fountain of Youth. He found something better, a beautiful land that he claimed for Spain, and he called it Florida.
Donated by the Government of Spain in 1976
Re-dedicated on May 22, 1995
Lower plaque:
La Fundación España – Florida 500 en conmemoración de los 500 años de la llegada de Juan Ponce de León a Florida, en presencia del Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación de España, José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil, y con ocasión de la escala en Miami del buque escuela Juan Sebastián de Elcano.
Miami, abril 1513–2013
The Spain – Florida 500 Foundation, in commemoration of the 500 years since the arrival of Juan Ponce de León in Florida, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil, and on the occasion of the port call in Miami of the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano.
Miami, April 1513–2013
Erected 1995.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1513.
Location. 25° 46.668′ N, 80° 11.266′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in Downtown Miami. It is on Biscayne Boulevard south of Northeast 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 335 Biscayne Blvd, Miami FL 33132, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Florida and on the Gold Coast. 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,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Biscayne Boulevard – New World Design (a few steps from this marker); The Torch of Friendship (a few steps from this marker); Capitán Arturo Prat Chacón (within shouting distance of this marker); A Cuban Salute to the Bicentennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza Libertador Simón Bolívar (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribute to International Trade Pioneers (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dante B. Fascell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Port of Miami (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 8, 2026
2. Juan Ponce de León Marker
A statue of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in downtown Miami.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 8, 2026
3. Juan Ponce de León Marker
The statue is located in the northwest corner of Miami's Bayfront Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
