Florida’s story begins well before the arrival of the Mayflower in present day Massachusetts. After being discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, Florida’s first city, St. Augustine, was established in 1565—55 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Over the next four hundred and sixty years, Florida would be governed by five different jurisdictions until achieving statehood in 1845 as the United States of America’s 27th state.
Since then, Florida’s contributions to American history have been countless as it has grown into the nation’s third largest state.
History and heritage sites located throughout the state, from Pensacola to Palm Beach and Fernandina to the Florida Keys, help tell that story. Exploring these places provides a unique opportunity to connect with Florida’s authentic past.
