Juan Ponce de Leon
(1460-1521)
Jaun Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer and conqueror. He was born in San Servas, Spain. Ponce de León heard stories of Christopher Columbus's discovery of a new world and volunteered to go along on a return trip. In September 1493 he set out for the island of Hispaniola (modern Dominican Republic and Haiti).
The Indians told Ponce de León that he would find gold on a neighboring island to the east, called Boriquien (Puerto Rico). In 1508, he traveled to Puerto Rico and conquered the island.
As a reward for his service to Spain, Ponce de Leon was given the right to find Bimini, one of the islands in the Bahamas. The "Fountain of Youth" was supposed to be in Bimini. Legend had it that anyone who drank from the fountain would never grow old. Ponce de Leon organized an expedition to find the fountain in March of 1513. He landed near the site of what is now St. Augustine, Florida, and claimed the land for Spain. He didn't realize he landed in North America. As a reward for his service to Spain, Ponce de Leon was given the right to find Bimini, one of the islands in the Bahamas. The "Fountain of Youth" was supposed to be in Bimini. Legend has it that anyone who drank from the fountain would never grow old. Ponce de Leon organized an expedition to find the fountain in March of 1513. He landed near the site of what is now St. Augustine, Florida. He didn't realize he landed in North America. After sailing through the Florida Keys and Cuba he found nothing. Having no luck they turned back and sailed to Spain in 1514.
In February 1521,he set out on a colonizing expedition and landed on the Florida coast near Charlotte Harbor. A fierce attack by Native Americans caused the settlement to be left abandoned. Ponce de León, wounded in the battle, died a few days after returning to Cuba. He was buried in Puerto Rico.
WELCOME ABOARD SAILORS! You have chosen to embark on a journey for the Fountain of Youth! Answer the following questions to discover more..
- After sailing with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, where did Ponce de Leon remain?
- Where was Ponce de Leon appointed governor of? (two places)
- After arriving in Hispaniola (modern Dominican Republic and Haiti) in 1493, what kind of conditions did he have to overcome?
- Where was the fountain of youth believed to be located?
- Where did Ponce de Leon go on his last voyage?
- True or False: Although Ponce de Leon was born into a noble family he was poor.
- How will Ponce de Leon be remembered?
- What does Tortugas mean in Spanish?
- How did Ponce de Leon die?
- Where was he buried?
Helpful Links about Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon Spanish Exporler
Ponce de Leon: Explorer
Juan Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon: Spain's First Explorer
