All about Juan Ponce de Leon
Juan Ponce de Leon was the first conquistador, also known as a Spanish explorer, to explore what is now Florida. Juan Ponce de Leon was born in 1474, in the village of Santervas de Campos, Spain. Juan stayed in Santo Domingo, Hispaniola, in 1494, when Christopher Columbus made his return back to Spain. In 1505, Juan established a new town in Higuey, and named it Salvaleon. He also married Leonara, who was the daughter of an innkeeper. In 1506, Juan also discovered an island called Borinquen, which is now Puerto Rico. There in Borinquen, he heard many stories about gold. He was hoping to discover this gold, so he led many soldiers to find this island where the gold was located. Him and his men killed many native people to find this gold. Later, Spain's king Ferdinand made Juan Ponce de Leon governer of this island. Juan soon heard of a mystical and extravagant fountain called the Fountain of Youth. This fountain could turn you young again. First, Juan asked for permission to travel to search for this island. He wanted to find such a glorious spot. In 1513, Juan took sail. After about a month, he found an island with beautiful palm trees, pretty birds, and flowers with a good aroma.