Punta Gorda in Charlotte County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First White Man Dies in America

Bahia del Espiritu Santo-1513

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 18, 2014

1. First White Man Dies in America Marker

Inscription. On this day, May 24, ships were sent to seek a mainland colony site and to sound and chart the newly found “Bay of the Holy Spirit” (Charlotte Harbor). For three weeks explorations continued, seldom by land. There were at least three meetings with the Caloosas; once they offered “guanin” (low gold) and skins for trade and promised more. But in other meetings fighting erupted and “several Indians” and one Spaniard were killed. Thus the first white man died in America, victim of Indian arrows and the place of his death was called “Matanca” (Pine Island).

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 • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is May 24, 1513.

Location. 26° 54.613′ N, 82° 5.744′ W. Marker is in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. It is on Ponce de Leon Parkway 0.9 miles west of Colony Point Drive, on the right when traveling south. This marker is located in Ponce de Leon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Juan Ponce de Leon (here, next to this marker);

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Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds (here, next to this marker); The Description and Naming of Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Southernmost Railroad Terminal (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Boating History of Punta Gorda (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Long Dock (approx. 2.3 miles away); Historic Spanish Anchor (approx. 2.3 miles away); Sport Fishing (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Punta Gorda.

Other markers no longer nearby. Discoveries of Juan Ponce de Leon (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Mound Cities By the Sea (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Ponce de Leon at Charlotte Harbor (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Ponce de Leon Historical Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Don Morfe

2. First White Man Dies in America Marker

Juan Ponce de Leon Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe

3. Juan Ponce de Leon Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,466 times since then and 156 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 28, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.