Ponce de León Island facts for kids
The southern end of the island at Sebastian Inlet
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 Ponce de León Island
Location in Florida
Ponce de León Island
Location in North Atlantic
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| Geography | |
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| Location | North Atlantic |
| Coordinates | 28°04′06″N 80°33′37″W / 28.06833°N 80.56028°W |
| Area | 55 km2 (21 sq mi) |
| Length | 72.5 km (45.05 mi) |
| Administration | |
| County | Brevard County |
Ponce de León Island is a name that was suggested for a long, narrow piece of land in Florida. This land is a barrier island, which means it's a natural strip of land that protects the mainland from ocean waves. It stretches about 72.5 kilometers (45 miles) along the Atlantic Ocean coast.
This island is located in Brevard County in central Florida. It goes from Cape Canaveral down to Sebastian Inlet. In 2010, about 67,933 people lived on this island. The land area of the island is about 55 square kilometers (21.4 square miles). Another name proposed for this area was Ais Island, named after the native Ais people who lived there long ago. So far, the island does not have an official name.
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The Island's Naming Story
Since the year 2000, some historians in Brevard County have worked to name this island "Ponce de León Island." This idea came from a theory by Douglas Peck. He believed that the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León first landed here in 1513. If true, this would mean he was the first European to step foot in Florida on this island.
This idea is different from the older belief that Ponce de León first landed in St. Augustine. The American Indian Association of Florida also suggested the name "Ais Island." This led to a debate about what the island should be called.
Why No Name Was Chosen
In 2012, the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) looked at both proposals. The BGN is a group that decides official names for places in the United States. However, they did not approve either name.
Many cities along the beach had first supported the name "Ponce de León Island." But they later changed their minds. This happened after new information came out about how Ponce de León treated the native Taino people in Puerto Rico. Also, Peck's theory about where Ponce de León first landed is not accepted by everyone as a definite fact.
Arguments Against Naming It Ponce de León Island
There were several reasons why people argued against naming the barrier island after Ponce de León. Some claims suggested he was involved in difficult events in Hispaniola. Later, in 1508, the Spanish Crown chose him to lead the effort to take over Puerto Rico. This also involved the forced labor of the Taino native people for gold mining. These actions made some people feel that naming the island after him would not be appropriate.
The Ais Island Proposal
Another idea sent to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) was to name the barrier island "Ais Island." The people who suggested this name believe it is more accurate historically. The Ais people and their ancestors lived in this area for about 3,000 years.
In the 17th century, the Spanish called this region "The Province of Ais." This was because it was common then to name a region after the main tribal leader, or "cacique." A map from 1601, ordered by the Spanish king, even showed the land we now know as Brevard County as the "Province of Ais."
The Coacoochee Island Proposal
A third name was suggested to the BGN on May 29, 2012. This proposal came from the Council of the Original Miccosukee Seminole Nation. They wanted to name the island "Coacoochee Island." This name would honor a brave Seminole chief named Coacoochee.
