Page 25 - Guest Advantage Magazine - September 2015

FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST
HISTORICAL TIME LINE
This historical time line is color- coded, so while it includes partial First Coast history, you will know the significance of each date as it pertains to the corresponding area. Jacksonville is Blue, St. Augustine is Green, & Florida as a whole is Red.
Prior to 1513: The Northeast portion of Florida was occupied by the Timucuan Tribe. These Native Americans stood
a good head and shoulder taller than
the first European explorers. The average adult Timucuan height was 6 feet 6 inches; the average height of the Europeans? 4 feet 7 inches.
March 27, 1513: Spanish explorer, Don Juan Ponce de Leon, first sighted the east coast of Florida while in search of gold and silver. Ponce de Leon claimed the land for Spain and named it La Florida, “the Flower”.
1562: French Huguenots, under Jean Ribault, founded a colony at Ft. Caroline on the St. Johns River. There is currently a National Memorial at this site.
Early 1565: The French establish a fort and colony at the mouth of the St. Johns River, near what is currently the Mayport
St. Augustine Bayfront Photo: Tammy Harrow
Naval Station, soon to be the permanent home for the U. S. Navy’s nuclear aircraft carriers.
Sept. 8, 1565: St. Augustine was founded by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Spain’s most experienced Admiral. Menendez named the settlement
St. Augustine in honor of the Saint whose feast day it was when he first sighted the shore on August 28.
Late 1565: As per the instruction of the King of Spain, Menendez vanquished
the French garrisons on the St. Johns River. This was done to ensure the safety of Spain’s treasure fleet that sailed along Florida’s coastline.
1569: Fort Matanzas was built on Rattlesnake Island. This small fort served as a warning post to inform the city of invaders from the south.
1586: The English Pirate, Sir Francis Drake, attacked, pillaged and burned
St. Augustine. During the next 100 years, St. Augustine enjoyed an uneventful, slow growth and rebuilding. The populace of about 700 only increased to 1,000 by 1688.
1672: Spanish start construction of a stone fortress on St. Augustine’s bayfront.
1702: The English Governor of Carolina conducted a 2 month siege against
St. Augustine. Although every building of importance was destroyed, the English were unable to overtake the nearly completed fort.
1756: The Castillo de San Marcos is officially dedicated.
1821/1822: Cowford, a village on the north bank of the St. Johns River, lays plans to become the city of Jacksonville, named after General Andrew Jackson.
1832: Jacksonville is incorporated. William J. Mills is elected the first mayor of Jacksonville.
1836: The Seminole War of 1836 was a failed effort by the Seminole Tribe to retain control of Florida from the Americans. This dispute lasted about 18 months and ended just south of St. Augustine where two prominent Seminole leaders were captured.
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