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Misconceptions and Myths Related to the “Fountain of Youth”
and Juan Ponce de Leon’s 1513 Exploration Voyage

Juan Ponce de Leon was the first Spanish explorer to courageously venture forth from the well-known and charted Caribbean Spanish Main discovered by Columbus. His seven months long 1513 exploration voyage into unknown waters in which he discovered Florida set the stage for European colonization of North America. Yet our current historical literature degrades the discoveries and accomplishments of Ponce de Leon by picturing him as a vain conquistador who only stumbled into Florida while looking for a legendary fountain of youth. In a comprehensive examination of historical source documents, this study shows that Ponce de Leon, in pursuing his legitimate and epic exploration voyage, was not looking for a fountain of youth and identifies the 16th century source of this false myth that without foundation persists in our written history to date.

This material from the Early Seafaring Exploration Series, published by the New World Explorers, Inc., is copyright protected. Reproduction and distribution is permitted for non-profit educational use. Reproduction and use of the illustrations in other writings should be obtained from the publisher.

Vol. 2, #2 ................................................Copyright - December, 1998
Twenty-one pages, three illustrations, bibliography .....Douglas T. Peck

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