Juan Ponce de Leon, known as the Spanish fountain of youth seeker, was born into a noble family in 1460. Juan is renowned for being one of the first Europeans to explore Puerto Rico, Florida and the Florida Keys looking for his “fountain of youth” and riches as he was a man driven by riches.
In his pursuits of wealth and discoveries at the age of 33 in 1493 he sailed with Columbus on his second trip to San Domingo where he did not return but rather stayed and was later appointed Nicolas Ovando’s lieutenant. Several years later in 1499 Ponce de Leon was named governor or the island Borinquen (or what is today Puerto Rico). While there Ponce de Leon made quite the name for himself not only be acquiring many riches but by treating the natives with much disdain. His actions would not be tolerated and in 1511 Ponce de Leon was removed from office.
Ponce de Leon was hardly discouraged by his recent displacement as he had acquired great wealth during his stay in office, but greed and the heart of an explorer can not be easily satisfied. When he got word that there was an island, Bimini, whose spring waters restored youth to its drinkers, and consequently was also abundant in gold and silver, Ponce de Leon set out directly in 1512 to find his new treasure. Ponce de Leon received the go ahead from Charles V to discover the people and lands of Bimini.
During his journey to find the fountain of youth Ponce de Leon discovered and named what was then thought to be the island of Florida; he named it Pascua de Florida, translation, feast of flowers. In 1513 Ponce de Leon would continue his exploration and during so have encounters with natives who lived in then Southern Florida. And when Ponce de Leon was given a grant to settle the island of Florida and become its governor that didn’t make the natives too excited. Race relations would never be the same between the Europeans and the Native Americans.
Ponce de Leon was eventually killed by the people he treated so poorly when he was shot by a poisoned arrow in the stomach by the Calusa Indian tribe. He would be buried in Puerto Rico and remembered as the man who sought riches, title, and long life.
I knew absolutely nothing about this man before picking him to research. I’m taking a History 21 class right now through the JC and we briefly mentioned his name when talking about the Spanish’s attempts at colonization and exploration of the new world but this was most beneficial because I had no idea he spent the last days of his life looking for the fountain of youth when all the while he was doing the opposite by treating the Native Americans so poorly. Karma’s tough sometimes. He spent the last days of his life searching for a dream.
Project 3 Part B
This is a journal entry of someone who was a counsel to Ponce de Leon when he was kicked out of office.
Today Juan Ponce de Leon was removed from office. While some of his actions were questionable his successes can not be questioned as he has acquired abundant wealth for himself and continues to pursuer more riches, so I have a feeling his spirit while bruised is not broken. True the brutality to the natives did take place it was nothing that they didn’t do to Juan and his men when they arrived wanting to take part in their bountiful land.
I doubt that Juan will remain still for long as he has talked to me on several occasions of a rumored fresh water spring that replenishes youth and vitality. I’m sure that Juan will wish to use his riches in pursuit of this spring and its gold and silver rich island. I have no doubts that Juan will find this place, as he is a determined man, bitter and always wanting to win in the end. I can see him now, gloating about his discovery for years as we all grow old. I fear not for his spirit but for his life as he continues to explore and will undoubtedly encounter far more hostile natives on his journeys.
