Fountain of Youth in St Augustine, Florida
Discover the area where Ponce De Leon landed first which resulted in the discovery of our nation. The 15 acres of Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is where history meets fun. There are many exhibits, reenactments of historical events, and shows performed daily at the park. The rebuilt Timucuan Village is a tribute to Timucuan Indians who were the original occupant of the land. They were scattered in the South for a few thousand years before the arrival of Ponce De Leon. The waterfront location and wide-open areas have made the park an ideal place for weddings and other gatherings. The park offers ample parking and it is pet-friendly.
Ponce De Leone’s discovery of the Fountain of Youth resulted in the establishment of the first settlement in the US. Today this area is known as St. Augustine, Florida. The State of Florida was first discovered by Ponce Deleon as the New World. He claimed the territory on behalf of Spain in 1513. His arrival coincided with Easter for which he named the area Pascua Florida or Flowery Easter. Pascua refers to the resurrection and Florida was attributed to the area’s colorful vegetation. The occasion prompted Ponce De Leon to name his discovery as La Florida. As he traveled along the coastline of Florida he came upon the Timucuan Indian village of Seloy. Legend has it that he was in search of the fountain that makes old men become boys. This myth has been disputed by many historians. The name of the Fountain of Youth stuck to Seloy and became an integral part of St Augustine.
The History of Timucua Indians
The location currently known as the Fountain of Youth Park was the home of the Timucua Village of Seloy. The history of the area and the Timucua Indians dates back to over 4,400 years ago. Timucua Indians occupied a vast area currently known as Central Florida and Southwest Georgia. They shared the same language and culture but stayed politically separate. While they enjoyed a friendly relationship amongst themselves but occasional wars were also a part of their history.
The City of St Augustine Is Discovered
Pedro Menendez De Aviles founded the City of St Augustine Fifty-Two years after Ponce De Leon discovered the “New Land”. After a short 9 months stay a conflict arose between the Timucua Indians and the group led by Menendez De Aviles. Subsequently, the fleet of ships was ordered by Admiral Mendez to relocate to the other side of the river. Today this area is known as Anastasia Island. The City of St Augustine is centered at the Timucua Indians Village of Seloy where the current Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is located.
Pedro Menendez De Aviles the Spanish Conquistador commanded 11 ships and an army of 1,000 men. The group was initially dispatched by King Philip II to confront the French Huguenots. There was news of Huguenot’s trespassing and establishing a colony to practice the Lutheran faith in the area. This area was considered to be part of the land awarded to the Spanish Crown by the Holy Church. Menendez reached coastal Florida with only 5 ships left and immediately attacked the Huguenots in one of the bloodiest religious massacres ever recorded.
The City of St Augustine Is Full Of History
The City of St Augustine is the cornerstone of the New World and a chestful of historic events. This is where the birth of one of the most powerful nations began. The Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth is central to the establishment of the City of St Augustine. Visitors to the Fountain of Youth can enjoy many different activities to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Timucua Indians Exhibit
Who Were The Timucua Indians?
Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth is full of history. The Timucua Indians had been living in different parts of Florida for over 500 years. This was prior to the arrival of Spanish Admiral Menendez. Each community was governed by a chief with Chief Seloy in charge of the St Augustine area. Admiral Menendez arrived in the St Augustine area after obliterating the French Protestants and met with Chief Seloy. Menendez was accompanied by 800 men, women, and slaves who settled in the Seloy’s Timucua Indian village. This is where today’s Fountain of Youth is located. The early peaceful cohabitation between the Spaniards and Timucua Indians eventually was embattled with numerous warfare. The wars along with diseases brought by outsiders proved to be detrimental to the destruction of these once-proud Indians.
The Timucua Indian Exhibit
The Timucua Indian display is a reconstruction of the village. The exhibit offers a glimpse of how the Timucua Indians lived. Their lifestyle as hunters and craftsmen demonstrated their skills in making pottery and tools. A unique canoe made out of a pine log showcases their craftsmanship.
Navigator’s Planetarium
Visit the Navigator’s Planetarium in the Fountain of Youth. This exhibit is dedicated to the navigation tools used by explorers to cross oceans. These tools consist of an astrolabe and a quadrant. They help navigate the constellation of stars and find latitude. The show in Navigator’s Planetarium presents a demonstration of the stars. This includes the night Ponce De Leon landed at the Fountain of Youth on April 2nd, 1513.
The Spring House
The Fountain of Youth could bring the eternal youth to its believers. Visiting the Spring House and drinking from this fabled spring may just make you feel young again. The credit for the legend of the Fountain of Youth belongs to Taino Indians who believed in a magical river on the island of Bimini, today’s Florida. The mystical river would grant eternal youth to those who bathe in them.
Discovery Globe
Previously known as Space Globe, it is located in a small theater in the Fountain of Youth. The rotating globe is 30 feet high and shows the routes taken by many explorers like Ponce Deleon who discovered a different part of Florida. The globe demonstrates the route each explorer has taken to travel from Europe and through the Atlantic to Florida.
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