Juan Ponce de Leon - St. Augustine, FL
N 29° 55.598 W 081° 19.607
17R E 468459 N 3310700
This statue of Juan Ponce de Leon, the explorer who discovered Florida in 1513, is located on U.S. 1 (aka Dixie Highway) and stands guard along with a statue of Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles (located across the road) in St. Augustine, Florida.
Waymark Code: WMDJMG
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 01/21/2012
Views: 9
ABOUT THE STATUE:
This 6-foot tall by 2-foot wide sculpture sits on 4-foot tall by 4-foot wide coquina base. The statue is located on the west side of U.S. 1 where there is a small pull-over for visitors.
"A portrait of Juan Ponce de Leon composed of fiberglass-coated bronze with concrete and reinforcement rods inside. With his proper right hand he raises a sword above his head. He steps forward slightly with his proper right foot. He is dressed in 16th century Spanish attire, including a pointed helmet with plume, a ruff around his neck, and boots. The sculpture is mounted in front of a pylon on one side of the entrance gate to the City of St. Augustine.
"The sculpture was given to the city in 1957 by Walter B. Fraser, a former mayor and Florida State Senator. It was donated in honor of the city's 400 year anniversary celebration. The sculpture is one of two donated by Fraser that flank the entrance to the city (see IAS record number FL000802)."
-- Source
ABOUT THE MAN:
"Juan Ponce de León (1474 – July 1521) was a Spanish explorer. He became the first Governor of Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named. He is associated with the legend of the Fountain of Youth, reputed to be in Florida."
-- Source