Historic Marker Monday: Ponce de León's ...

Historic Marker Monday: Ponce de León's 1513 Voyage and Key West's Marker #50

 

Host Michele O'Connor  introducses this Historic Marker Monday episode focused on a Duval Street historic marker (noted at 1405 Duval Street) honoring Spanish explorer Ponce de León and his 1513 voyage. She recounts his background sailing with Columbus, his roles in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and how he personally financed three ships to seek gold, expand Spain's territory, and strengthen his position. The episode traces the expedition as he named Florida, moved through the Florida Keys (Los Martires), reached the mainland, encountered conflict with Indigenous people and took captives, then traveled to the Dry Tortugas for food but no fresh water, and was pushed by the Gulf Stream to Cuba—an accidental discovery valuable to navigation. Michelle explains why this history connects to Key West and encourages listeners to visit marker #50 and use funinkeywest.com for tours, a marker map, and a virtual book club.