Spanish-Colonial Heritage Introduction

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Flagler College, St. Augustine

Photo Credit: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau

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Their Majesties, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain

Photo Credit: VISIT FLORIDA

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St. Augustine in the Evening

Photo Credit: St. Johns County Visitor and Convention Bureau

Florida has the longest recorded history of any state in America, although almost no one seems to know about it. Until now.

The Past - The facts
In what year did Columbus "sail the ocean blue"? The answer is 1492. And in what years were Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts established? The answers are 1607 and 1620, respectively. So nothing happened between 1492 and 1607? Are we to think there was no exploration, arrivals or settlements in the 1500s?

The 1500s were Florida's time! Contrary to popular belief, Florida was the first place of European arrival in America. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. - established 42 years before the English settled Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth. St. Augustine was also the site of America's first church, school, hospital, court of law and planned city. Prominent historians have stated that the first Thanksgiving took place in northeast Florida and that the Pocahontas story actually happened in Florida with a Spanish explorer and a Native American Tocobaga Princess. Now is the time to share Florida's story and set the record straight.

Many have heard about Ponce de Leon's exploration of Florida and purported search for the "Fountain of Youth." Ponce de Leon's search was actually for gold. Ponce and his small fleet of three Spanish ships arrived along the upper eastern shores of Florida on Easter Sunday 1513, with the area in flowery bloom. Upon landing, Ponce declared "Pasqua Florida" meaning feast of flowers. Even today, people come to Florida in search of wealth, rejuvenation in its healing waters and for its natural beauty.

The Legacy
The flavor of Florida is decidedly Spanish at heart, pulsing strongly from Pensacola to Key West to Amelia Island, passionately evident in the art, architecture, culture, cuisine, and music throughout the state. Spanish legacies and contributions to Florida are deeply woven into the fabric of the beautiful and complex Sunshine State.

Many of Florida's places have Spanish names that have been Anglicized such as St. Augustine (San Agustin), St. Marks (San Marcos), Alachua (La Chula) and many more. La Chula, today's Paynes Prairie, was the original location of the Spanish Colonial ranches and the origin of Florida's cattle industry which was the start of the industry in America. Early Spanish explorers also introduced pigs to Florida and the wild pigs still present today in the southeastern U.S. are direct descendants of those brought by the Spanish in the 1500s.

Citrus trees were first introduced in Florida when St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and now the Sunshine State produces almost three-quarters of the nation's oranges and grapefruits. The Spanish architectural style was reintroduced to Florida by Henry Flagler in his opulent hotels built in the 1880s for Florida's early tourists along Flagler's East Coast Railway. Flagler's historic Ponce de Leon Hotel - now Flagler College - in St. Augustine is a magnificent example of this style, also revived by architect Addison Mizner in the 1920s in wealthy Palm Beach.

The Present and Future
For nearly 500 years, our Spanish heritage has enriched Florida's history. In the 21st century it is travel, trade, enterprise, intellectual and entrepreneurial exploration with Spain that continues to inspire our future. VIVA FLORIDA is a multi-year, multi-city, private/public initiative highlighting important anniversaries of several Spanish arrivals, explorations and settlements throughout the state of Florida. The following highlight these important milestones in Florida and our nation's history:

• 2009 - 450th Anniversary of Pensacola
  Pensacola commemorates the 450th anniversary of one of the first Spanish-European settlement attempts in Florida with Tristán De Luna's arrival in Pensacola Bay on August 15, 1559. However several weeks later on September 19, a hurricane brought an abrupt end to the efforts. Not until 1698 would the area be permanently settled. In February 2009 the Spanish royal visit of HRH King Juan Carlos I & Queen Sofia honored this important anniversary. Events continue throughout 2009. Celebrate Pensacola
• 2013 - Florida's 500th Anniversary
  Quincentennial events are anticipated throughout Florida to commemorate Ponce de León's arrival in 1513 and exploration of the Sunshine State. Ponce thought Florida was an island and explored much of the coast until being mortally wounded in 1521 by the Calusa Indians near Charlotte Harbor in southwest Florida. Events will showcase Florida's Spanish heritage in addition to events highlighting innovation, exploration, education, commerce and furthering cultural exchange. VivaFlorida
• 2015 - 450th Birthday of St. Augustine - The Oldest European City in America
  Over the next few years, several significant anniversaries will be celebrated in St. Augustine, the Nation's oldest city:

• 2012 - 200th Anniversary of the Spanish Consititution -
  

  
  

• 2013 - Ponce de Leon and the exploration of La Florida -

  Numerous activities are planned to recognize Ponce de Leon and his significance to St. Augustine - a city that features three statues, an iconic bridge, a major highway and a 15-acre Fountain of Youth Park all dedicated to the man who named La Florida.
• 2015 - 450th Birthday of St. Augustine - The Oldest City in America -Huge celebrations will commemorate the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine in 1565 by Spanish admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. These birthday activities will focus national and international attention on the oldest city and Spain's leading role in the European settlement of the United States. Visit Old City

Your License To Explore
It will not be until 2109 that Florida will be part of the U.S. for as long as it was part of Spain. While the impact of Hispanic culture is prevalent throughout the state, all of Florida and South Florida especially, is again being explored and settled by Spanish-speaking people from all over the Americas. Today there is a growing opportunity to explore and build partnerships between Florida and Spain. This guide is YOUR license to explore, and experience the past for the enrichment of all our futures.