Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
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Entrance to the Fountain of Youth Park (2010)
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 Location in Florida
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| Location | 11 Magnolia Ave.; St. Augustine, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 16000361 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 2016 |
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a special park in St. Augustine, Florida. It covers about 15 acres and is located along Hospital Creek, which is part of the Intracoastal Waterway.
This park is famous because many people believe it's where the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon first landed in Florida in 1513. However, there is no real proof to show that he actually landed here. Some historians think he might have landed near Melbourne Beach instead.
Inside the park, there is a well that some claim is the legendary "Fountain of Youth." This is the freshwater source that Ponce de Leon was supposedly looking for. But, just like the landing site, there is no solid evidence to support this claim about the well.
Even without these legends, the park is very important. In the 1990s, archaeologists led by Dr. Kathleen Deagan found exciting things here. They uncovered the remains of the very first Spanish settlement and its defenses in St. Augustine. This makes the park a key historical site.
Park History and Discoveries
The land where the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park now stands has been a visitor attraction for a long time. Starting in the 1860s, small attractions opened here. They showed off a natural spring, which was the well, and the beautiful land around it.
Early Owners and Legends
In 1904, a woman named Luella Day McConnell bought the attraction and made it bigger. She was known as "Diamond Lil." She enjoyed making up fun and sometimes shocking stories for the people who lived in St. Augustine and for tourists. She ran the park until she passed away in 1927.
Walter B. Fraser's Vision
Later in 1927, Walter B. Fraser bought the park. He moved to St. Augustine, Florida, and became very involved in the city's government. In the 1930s, Mr. Fraser started the first official effort to restore old buildings in St. Augustine. This effort eventually grew into the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board, which helps protect the city's history.
The park itself was recognized for its historical importance in 2016. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places in the United States that are important for their history, architecture, or archaeology.
Walter B. Fraser also served as mayor of St. Augustine for seven years. During his time, he bought other historic places like the Oldest Orange Grove and the Oldest School House. He also started a radio station called WFOY.
