Juan Ponce de Leon
Juan Ponce de Leon was born in the province of Campos in 1460. Growing up to become a Spanish officer, he lived until the summer of 1521 when he died in Cuba. Coming from an Aragon family, he served against the Moors of Granada and according to some historians; he sailed with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493 to Hispaniola. However, other historians believe he only sailed with Nicolas de Ovando in 1502.
Regardless, de Leon was very active in the pacification of the country, soon becoming the governor of the province of Higuey, the location where natives had frequent activity with the people of the island. This island known as Borinquen went on to become today’s Puerto Rico. After that, de Leon gained valuable information about the island. Finding it to be abundant of gold, he was granted permission to take control of it.
Then in 1508, de Leon sailed with 80 Spanish adventurers, as well as a few Indians. Within just a few days at sea, they arrived in Borinquen and was welcomed by the native Indians. Aguainaba, the primary cacique showed him the various areas of the island and while roaming about, he gathered several gold samples. At this, de Leon discovered something else - rich, fertile soil.
Just a year later, de Leon went back to Hispaniola with a report about his trip. With that, he was searching for re-enforcement but unfortunately, the current governor, Diego Columbus, sent Diego Ceron on the expedition. However, he sent de Leon on the expedition to serve as Ceron’s lieutenant. With the protection of Ovando under the court of Spain, the governorship of Borinquen was claimed in 1510. Ceron was then sent to Hispaniola where the first city was constructed called Caparra.
Not long after, the Indians were distributed among the officers, the same as he had done while in Hispaniola. However, Aguainabo’s brother and success also called Aguaninabo began fighting to banish all of the invaders. Unfortunately, he was defeated and the native Indians of Caribs were called to help but de Leon took control over the entire island. In the first part of 1512, de Leon was not given his rightful governorship but in poor health and suffering from a number of wounds, he decided to head out in search of the fountain of youth. He had learned from earlier reports from the Indians that this place was on an island known as Bimini.
Collecting as many followers and adventurers as he could, they set sail in the early part of 1512. With them, they took three caravels, leaving from San German. On the way, they made several stops on Bahamas islands and were told that the fountain of youth was actually further west. Then just a few days later, he landed in today’s city of St. Augustine to the north. There, he discovered an abundance of vegetation so he called the island Florida Island. He then set sail again, following the coast to Corrientes. However, not finding the fountain of youth, de Leon headed back to Puerto Rico in the fall of that same year.
From there, de Leon sailed to Spain, obtaining the title of Adelantado of Bimini and Florida for him and his successors. By 1515, he left Seville with his three caravels, reaching Puerto Rico. Once there, he discovered that Caribs had been virtually overpowered by Spanish garrison. Determined to expel them, he stayed. While there, he also founded an island to the south known as the city of Ponce. In the early spring of 1521, de Leon decided to try again to conquer Florida. This time, he sailed with two vessels, leaving San German and landing about 50 miles to the south of his previous landing spot.
As he explored the land, he found warlike natives. Encountering them on several occasions, he had no choice but to re-embark, sadly losing just about all of the people that had accompanied him. Not wishing to return to Puerto Rico after being badly defeated, de Leon sailed to the island of Cuba where he would retire. Unfortunately, having been shot earlier with a poisoned arrow, he soon died of his wounds. His remains were taken to the city of San Juan de Puerto Pico where they reside in the San Jose Church. Today, you will find an erected monument in his honor.