The peacocks were very entertaining and beautiful as well. Peacocks everywhere, strutting their stuff. . Herrera adds that the Spaniards had unsuccessfully searched every "river, brook, lagoon or pool" along the Florida coast for the legendary fountain.[15]. Annual Events Floridas Historic Coast has an annual calendar chock full of events that appeal to a wide variety of interests. His passion for St. Augustine was as deep and enduring as his drive to promote and stimulate the economic and political stability of the city he loved. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? On that first expedition to Florida, Ponce de Len explored the coast, including the Florida Keys, and discovered the Gulf Stream, the warm ocean current that would help future Spanish ships maneuver their way home from the New World. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Inc. Yes, the Fountain of Youth is a historical site in St. Augustine, Florida. Open 9am - 6pm Daily (Last entry - 5pm) | 904-829-3168BUY TICKETS CONTACT US. The history of the Timucuan Native people, the huts, the burial grounds, all well displayed. Yes, guests can enjoy farm-to-table dining options at Smoked Southern BBQ, the on-site restaurant. By the time of Ponce de Leon, the land was thought to be located northwest towards the Bahamas (called la Vieja during the Ponce expedition). You can . For six weeks he skirted the coastline southward past Cape Canaveral, Palm Beach, and Biscayne Bay to the Keys and Tortugas. Enjoy everything this wonderful park has to offer! This park is loaded with history, well displayed and documented! Still, a few grains of truth have helped sustain the story. Do you remember the story you once heard of a place called the Fountain of Youth? Among the wildlife youll encounter are peacocks and native birds. But the name linked most closely to the search for a fountain of youth is 16th-century Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, who allegedly thought it would be found in Florida. He Sailed with three ships Santiago, Santa Maria & San Cristobal. The people in the pool are youthful and naked, and after a while they leave it, and are shown fashionably dressed enjoying a courtly party, sometimes including a meal. Spring kicks off the peafowl mating season, and if you look closely, you are likely to spot a chick or two being taught how to forage by a doting mother peahen. What did Juan Ponce de Len discover? - See 2,865 traveler reviews, 2,158 candid photos, and great deals for St. Augustine, FL, at Tripadvisor. Why are there peacocks at the Fountain of Youth? On that first expedition to Florida, Ponce de Len explored the coast, including the Florida Keys, and discovered the Gulf Stream, the warm ocean current that would help future Spanish ships maneuver their way home from the New World. The Fountain of Youth was tiny, shabby and neglected: a blocky little drinking fountain, not much bigger than the garbage can it stood next to, covered in green tile that must have been decorative . The fountain was just spring water, they have cups that you can get to catch some water to drink. Tales of such a fountain have been recounted around the world for thousands of years, appearing in the writings of Herodotus (5th century BC), in the Alexander romance (3rd century AD), and in the stories of Prester John (early Crusades, 11th/12th centuries AD). Sherry Johnson, a historian at Florida International University, says the myth of Ponce de Len and his magical fountain remain because of the romance. A frail old man could become so completely restored that he could resume "all manly exercises take a new wife and beget more children." Why are there peacocks at the Fountain of Youth? To learn more about the rich history of the birthplace of St. Augustine, annual archaeological digs take place at the Fountain of Youth each year. The Fountain of Youth, sometimes known as just the Fountain or the Aqua de Vida, was a legendary spring that reputedly restored the youth or granted immortality to anyone who drank from its waters. Ponce de Leons Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park boasts a muster (or flock) of nearly 30 Indian peafowl. Drink from the magical spring's waters, plus explore many exhibits and historical attractions at the 15-acre Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Menendez would remain at this site for nine months before growing hostilities between the Spaniards and the Timucua would lead him to move his fortifications across the river to what is now Anastasia Island. The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine is legendary, known as the place where Ponce De Leon discovered the healing waters that magically maintain your youthful appearance. I feel I should take a minute here to discuss what exactly "The Fountain of Youth" is. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. From the peacocks to the canon firing,this really is a must see in St. Augustine! The blue peacock males spread their plumage in order to attract a mate and to warn off other males and the show is stunning but it pales in comparison to the display of the white peacocks, which look like huge snowflakes! These large birds scurry across the grounds, roost in the trees, and entertain visitors throughout the day. Stop in for some prime birdwatching no binoculars needed! Ponce de Len named the peninsula he believed to be an island La Florida because his discovery came during the time of the Easter feast, or Pascua Florida. There are countless indirect sources for the tale as well. Route Taken and Obstacles Faced Juan Ponce de Leon left Cuba to find the fountain that he was told could cure of all illnesses and keep a person young. This brightly hued peacock was adopted due to the increase in colour programming. On a return trip to Spain around this time, he married a woman named Leonora, with whom he would eventually have three children. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park: Peacocks!!! Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. NBC later adopted the slogan Were proud as a peacock! The current version of the logo debuted in 1986 and has six feathers (yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, and green). There are also picnic areas and a gift shop available. The Spanish explorer was searching for the Fountain of Youth, a fabled water source that was said to bring eternal youth. It was here that Jack learned that the ritual requires water from the Fountain of Youth that must be drunk from the two silver Chalices of Ponce de Len. more, St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour. Legend has it that Native Americans told Ponce de Len that the Fountain of Youth was in Bimini. I dont know why but I expected the fountain of youth to be an ornate fountain made of gold. Twain's quip was only one of many complaints about aging that have been recorded for as long as humans have dreaded the downside of a long life. Which is the best hotel in Myrtle Beach SC? Don't just drink and drive away, stay and enjoy everything this park has to offer!!!!!! On August 15th Walter B. Fraser purchases the Fountain of Youth properties from Edward McConnell for $100,000 (2017 value of $1,406,816). In April 1513 he landed on the coast of Florida at a site between Saint Augustine and Melbourne Beach. All the time, this fountain of youth has been right here in our everyday life. There is a lot of history to learn if you are willing to take your time to really explore the park. [16][17] McConnell later claimed to have "discovered" on the grounds a large cross made of coquina rock, asserting it was placed there by Ponce de Len himself. Does the Fountain of Youth make you immortal? He was donated by a man who had cancer and could no longer care for the bird. Ponce and his landing party first came ashore in La Florida on April 3, 1513. Notre Dame has made official its hire of former Cincinnati offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli as the Irish quarterbacks coach. Beaches St. Augustine and the surrounding area is home to some of the best beaches in Florida from Ponte Vedra Beach to Crescent Beach and everywhere in between. Copyright 2023 St Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, Discover more in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra, Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Historic Old Attractions in the Old City of St. Augustine, Itinerary: St. Augustine History, From Spanish Influence to Spooky Haunts. We hope you will return when you can spend more time enjoying what other reviewers rate so highly. 11 Magnolia Avenue | St. Augustine, FL USA | Main Phone. Finding Ponce Where can you find Juan Ponce de Len on Floridas Historic Coast? Why did Ponce de Leon look for the Fountain of Youth? [8] While it is not known whether any legend about healing waters was widespread among the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, the Italian-born chronicler Peter Martyr attached such a story drawn from ancient and medieval European sources to his account of the 1514 voyage of Juan Diaz de Solis in a letter to the Pope in 1516, though he did not believe the stories and was dismayed that so many others did. NBCs first colour broadcasts showed only a still frame of the colourful peacock. Native Americans, known today as the Timucua, begin to occupy the region that spreads from present-day Central Florida to Southwest Georgia. [4] This land also became confused with the Boinca or Boyuca mentioned by Juan de Solis, although Solis's navigational data placed it in the Gulf of Honduras. Themes of transformations are found in all types of mythologies and folklore. University of Florida Graduate Ed Chaney Makes an Important discovery when his team locates a Spanish Well filled with 16th century artifacts. The peacock was inherited from ancient Greek iconography as a symbol of immortality, purportedly because its flesh did not rot. They would trade with one another, but also go to war against each other. Not worth the money. Exhibits of Timucua and Spanish heritage are also on display. New AI may pass the famed Turing test. A Collection of Interesting, Important, and Controversial Perspectives Largely Excluded from the American Mainstream Media 1. From www.fountainofyouthflorida.com: We invite you to visit us for a fascinating, informative, entertaining tour of Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original site of the Nation's oldest city. There are several places to stop and learn a little history while there including about Native Peoples homes and practices. NBC later adopted the slogan "We're proud as a peacock!" However, Ponce de Len did not mention the fountain in any of his writings throughout the course of his expedition. [2] Bennett DA, et al. What is an interesting fact about Juan Ponce de Leon? This painting by Austrian artist Eduard Veith shows a scene at the mythical Fountain of Youth. ::ALWAYS_ONLINE_NO_COPY_BOX:: Towards the end of the day, you might spy a peacock in a tree preparing to roost for the night. More archaeological digs on property, prompted by further research by the University of Florida. They invited the Tiumucua Indians to join them. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. The Fountain of Youth is a mythical spring which allegedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters. The city of St. Augustine, Florida, is home to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, a tribute to the spot where Ponce de Len was supposed to have landed according to promotional literature, although there is no historical or archaeological evidence to support the claim. Kohanski, Tamarah & Benson, C. David (Eds. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Dr. Kathy Deagan begins what would end up a 25-year search, through her many excavations at the Fountain of Youth property, to find the site of Pedro Menendez de Aviless original location of St. Augustine. The Wednesday announcement comes after Guidugli's hire was first . Where does the Fountain of Youth water come from? COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Scioto Mile Fountain at Bicentennial Park is set to get a $15 million makeover, and with renovation construction likely to take an entire year, it will also be out Dr. Kathy Deagan Teams up with St. Augustine Archaeological Association and find a second barrel well, in that well they discover an olive jar used for storage from the 16th century, a candle holder and a scoop made from a conch. The myth of the Fountain of Youth is actually a Taino Indian legend about a spring that was said to exist on the island of Bimini and a river, in what became known as Florida that would restore youth to those who bathed in their waters. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Today, Florida is known as a popular retirement spot for older people from all walks of life. The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine is legendary, known as the place where Ponce De Leondiscovered the healing waters that magically maintain your youthful appearance. Lovely Valentine Events at The Odd Macabre The Feast of Saint Valentine has been observed since 496, when Saint Valentine, who ministered to persecuted, Copyright 2019 totallystaugustine.com // Powered by WordPress, May 6: 4th annual STA Brewers Fest at the Fountain of Youth, March 11: St. Augustine St. Patrick Parade announces Grand Marshal, judges, March 3-5: 13th Annual Saint Augustine Film Festival Part Deux, March 3-6: Apex Theatre Studio musical Ride the Cyclone brings off-the-rails hilarity, March 25-26: 40th annual St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival, 2023 Festival, Events, Music + More in St. Augustine & St. Johns County, Feb. 18: FREE Resilience Family Fest Black Heritage in St. Augustine, February-May 2023 Events in St. Augustine & St. Johns County, Feb. 12: The Diary of Anne Frank additional performance in Ponte Vedra Beach, 2023 Spring Festivals in St. Augustine, Florida, Fall in Love with St. Augustine, Florida with these romantic activities. Much to the chagrin of the St. Augustine Historical Society and Scientific Institute, Mr. Fraser maintained the property as an attraction . Colonial America started right HERE, 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and 42 years before Jamestown! Michelle Reyna, a spokesperson for the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, says the fountain has been a tourist attraction since at least 1901, and may have been attracting visitors since 1860. The wood plank bridge through the marshlands was very pleasant to stroll. Every exhibit is worth a pause. It does take at least 2 hours for a visit. Is South Korea safe for female Travellers? Because youth is the beginning stage of life, the symbolism of youth is often nostalgic and optimistic. There were several instances of the property being used as an attraction as early as the 1860s; the tourist attraction in its present form was created by Luella Day McConnell in 1904. Visit the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, where you can delve into history, explore scenic grounds and maybe capture eternal youth. Plan your day with these additional St. Augustine attractions that are close by: Juan Ponce de Len The state of Florida achieved a significant milestone in 2013, the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Lens arrival on Floridas east coast. Even got a few shots of the albino peacock who apparently love. But hearing persistent reports of gold on nearby Puerto Rico, in 1508 the Spanish crown officially sent Ponce de Len to explore the island. The bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. [4], The connection was made in Gonzalo Fernndez de Oviedo y Valds's Historia general y natural de las Indias of 1535,[11] in which he wrote that Ponce de Len was looking for the waters of Bimini to regain youthfulness. The peacocks are quite a site the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine. Perhaps you rushed through? Who created it? The Fountain of Youth has even made its way into the movies. A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. Ponce de Leon arrived from Spain in 1513, but the areas history began long before that. Ponce de Len in Florida. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The restrooms were clean and well maintained. Please be respectful of copyright. Pay a visit to the Native Timucua Village of Seloy, where you can learn about how these Native Americans lived and hunted. The boutique hotel has just 44 keys, art-filled spaces that draw inspiration from the beautiful city and the Nubye Spa, offering traditional Mexican . Curators are realizing that returning looted artifacts isnt closing museumsits opening new doors. When Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles came ashore in 1565 to claim Florida for Spain, he and his crew established the first St. Augustine settlement along the shores of what is now this beautiful park. We drank a little water to say "we did it". Peafowl In the Park The blue peacock males spread their plumage in order to attract a mateand to warn off other males and the show is stunning - but it pales in comparison to the display of the white peacocks, which look like huge snowflakes! The Museum's collection was originally made up of works of art that became available when the monasteries were suppressed in 1836, and until recently contained some impressive trophies. Believing the area to be an island, Ponce so named this beautiful new land La Florida because it was sighted during the Festival of Flowers at Easter time. 1987 Deagans Team uncovers a series of long narrow trenches which revealed some of the first Spanish structures foundations. Once again, the explorer made no mention of the Fountain of Youth, focusing instead on his desire to settle the land, spread Christianity and discover whether Florida was an island or peninsula. Around the year 1909 she began advertising the attraction, charging admission, and selling post cards and water from a well dug in 1875 for Williams by Philip Gomez and Philip Capo. If you like history,definitely check this out. Tourists will pay more than 10 cents today, but for $15 for adults and $9 for children, there is a whole lot to see, not to mention getting a taste of the famed water. Kathleen Deagan, a professor of archaeology at the University of Florida in Gainesville and a National Geographic Society grantee, says a cemetery and the remains of a Spanish mission dating back to St. Augustine's founding in 1565 have been discovered near the so-called fountain of youth. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. An additional inspiration may have been taken from the account of the Pool of Bethesda where a paralytic man was healed in the Gospel of John. Just get those greens into your diet each day, and enjoy your very own fountain of youth-for many years to come! Check out Ponce de Leons Fountain of Youth Archaeological Parks website to learn more about the attractions fees, exhibits and events. Catastrophe would strike from 1702-1704, when English raids during Queen Annes War (1702-1713) wiped out the Spanish missions in this region the last of the remaining Timucua would disappear with them. His vessels left Puerto Rico on March 3, 1513, and reached the east coast of Florida (which received the name from his landfall on the Easter holiday of Pascua Florida) on April 2, 1513. 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