This item has the following downloads:

( PDF )

Sailing to St. Augustine Introduction


Although Columbus took to the high seas in 1492, it wasn't until 1513

During the Christian holy season of Easter, Juan Ponce de Le6n of
g- iJ;~Spain sighted the subtropical land that is now the southernmost state
of the United States of America.

On March 27, 1513, he landed near what is now St. Augustine and he
~.~t3~~~ i~~;LEBi~lt~gave this new land the name "La Florida," meaning "Land of Flowers."

~17 t~BDon Juan Ponce de Le6n sailed to Florida from the Spanish islands of
the Caribbean, namely Hispanola and Puerto Rico. Ponce de Le6n had
settled on these islands after accompanying Columbus on his second
voyage to the Americas in 1493.

Although we do not know exactly where Ponce de Le6n landed, we
are sure that it was somewhat north of present day St. Augustine. He claimed the area, which he
believed to be an island, for Spain, and then sailed south around the peninsula and part way up the west
coast of Florida, exploring and mapping his newly discovered territory.

Ponce de Le6n would make several exploratory trips to Florida. He died in Cuba from an arrow wound
inflicted by the Calusa Indians of Florida.

In 1565 the king of Spain sent Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles to try to establish settlements in Florida.
When Menendez arrived, he knew that the French had recently settled at Fort Caroline, at the mouth of
the St. Johns River. Part of his mission was to eliminate the threat of French settlement in Florida.














Complete the activities and answer the questions below using the online introduction to this
topic to guide you.


1) The year is 1565. You and Menendez de Aviles have been commanded by the King of
Spain to set up two Spanish colonies in Florida. He has selected St. Augustine. Describe
the physical characteristics of the site you would select.


Aerial Photography: Florida


Sailing to St. Augustine Activity Sheet


Name:


2) You must survive on resources available from the surrounding land. Describe what
resources are essential for the survival of your colony.


- 1-


Sailing to St. Augustine








Aerial Photography: Florida


Sailing to St. Augustine Activity Sheet


3) The first map of Florida (below) was drawn in 1597, about 30 years after Pedro
Menendez de Aviles established the first Spanish colony in Florida and 80 years after
Ponce de Ledn first landed in Florida. Referring to the online introduction to Sailing to St.
Augustine for clues, find the approximate locations on the map of:
> St. Augustine
> The French fort Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River
> The Caribbean
> Cuba, where Ponce de Ledn died

Taking into consideration the factors you listed in 1 & 2 above, put a star on the location
you have chosen to start your Florida colony.
















CV- BA IN VL'FAr
The~ first ma fFord,19


-2-





Aerial Photography: Florida Sailing to St. Augustine Activity Sheet


The St. Augustine aerial photograph below was taken in 1942 by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.


L0085181 ST. Auigul5Ile TrOm Ife arI, 15~


4) What modern features does it show?


-3-








Aerial Photography: Florida Sailing to St. Augustine Activity Sheet

5) Why would this type of photograph have been useful to early explorers and settlers?


6) Circle the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine








7) Identify this feature:


-4-