Ponce De Leone’s Fountain of Youth has the distinction of housing the first settlers in the area that became St. Augustine, Florida. The State of Florida was first discovered by Ponce Deleon as the New World. He claimed on behalf of Spain in 1513. His arrival coincided with Easter which was known as Pascua Florida. The occasion prompted Ponce De Leon to name his discovery as La Florida. As he traveled along the coastline of Florida it brought him to 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 and Ponce De Leon

The area was the home to the Timucua Indians and was the first place Ponce De Leon landed in 1513. He later named the area La Florida. 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 amazingly 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 among themselves but occasional wars were also a part of their history.

The City of St Augustine Is Discovered

52 years after Ponce De Leon’s discovery of the “New Land”, Pedro Menendez De Aviles founded the City of St Augustine. The city is centered at the Timucua Indians village of Seloy where the current Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is located. After a short 9 months stay the 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 known as Anastasia Island.

Pedro Menendez De Aviles the Spanish Conquistador along with 11 ships and an army of 1,000 men 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 their 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.