Before 1513, the land now known as Florida was home to diverse Indigenous cultures that thrived for thousands of years.
Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have lived in Florida for over 14,000 years, with early inhabitants adapting to the region’s warm climate, abundant waterways, and diverse ecosystems. These early Floridians were hunter-gatherers who relied on fishing, shellfish harvesting, and hunting for sustenance.
Over time, distinct cultures emerged, including the Calusa in southwest Florida, the Tequesta in the southeast, and the Timucua in the northern and central regions.
The Calusa, known as fierce warriors and skilled seafarers, built complex societies, engineered shell mounds, and constructed impressive canal systems. The Timucua, on the other hand, were adept agriculturalists who cultivated maize, beans, and squash while also maintaining extensive trade networks.
History Timeline of Florida 1513-2026
1513 – On April 2, 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon landed near Melbourne Beach. Although he thought he was on an Island, he named the new land La Florida (meaning pretty to behold) and claimed the “island” for Spain.
1513 – June 21, 1513, de Leon lands on waterless islands near the Keys. He names the islands Las Tortugas after the many turtles found in the warm waters.
1521 – July – Ponce de Leon dies from a fever contracted when wounded by Native Americans when attempting to start a settlement in southwest Florida (exact location unclear).
1539 – Hernando de Soto lands with 9 ships in Manatee County, Florida. The ships carried priests, craftsmen, engineers, farmers, and merchants; some with their families, some from Cuba, and most from Europe and Africa. He traveled along the west coast of Florida and settled a few months near Tallahassee in an Indian village called Anhaica. In December 1539, the first Christmas in America may have been celebrated by the priests traveling with de Soto.
1559 – On August 14, 1559, Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano entered Pensacola Bay. Luna’s plan was to settle the area. He brought with him 2000 people that included soldiers, craftsmen, farmers, and others to begin the building of the settlement.
1562 – Frenchman, Jean Ribault, lands near what is now St. Augustine. He claimed the land for the French. Ribault left a contingent of Frenchmen at a fort a few miles north of his landing.
1564 – By 1564, the French were determined to colonize North America. On their second attempt in Florida, Captain Jean Ribault built a fortification named Fort Caroline at the mouth of the St. Johns River.
1565 – On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed in St. Augustine and again claimed all of North America for the Spanish crown. Menendez was well aware of the French fort at the mouth of the St. Johns River.
1565 – On September 20, 1565, Menendez caught the Frenchmen by surprise at Fort Caroline and “put most of them to the sword”.
1567 – 1705 – Spanish missions were established among at least 8 different indigenous tribes in Florida. Some 80 mission centers were scattered throughout Florida.
1568 – Spanish colonists invaded Fort Caroline in 1568, renaming it San Matteo.
1568 – On Good Friday, 1568, Dominique de Gourgues, a French nobleman, invaded and burnt the Spanish Fort San Mateo at St. Augustine.
1569 – Menendez expelled the French by the spring. He landed again in St. Augustine with almost 200 settlers.
1574 – September 17, 1574, Menendez dies.
1587 – The Spanish built a series of missions (called doctrinas) from St. Augustine to the panhandle. Each was no more than a day’s ride from the other. The network lasted into the 1700s. The goal was to bring Catholicism to Native Americans.
1668 – English Captain Robert Searles leads 100 buccaneers through St. Augustine killing at least 60 people and pillaging food and supplies.
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