San Juan del Puerto, Florida

San Juan del Puerto was a Spanish Franciscan mission settlement on Fort George Island near the mouth of the St. Johns River, founded in the 16th century. Visitors can still see building foundations, scattered artifacts, and other material remains that show how people lived at this place.

The settlement was founded around 1587 as a Spanish outpost for colonization and converting the Timucua people to Christianity. It was abandoned in 1702 when the community dispersed.

This place was a meeting point where Spanish missionaries and Timucua people lived together, sharing religious practices and daily routines. The settlement created spaces where indigenous traditions coexisted with European influence and ways of life.

This is an active archaeological site with areas that may be excavated or marked for research, so expect an unfinished appearance. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven, and allow time to explore the island setting carefully.

A priest named Francisco Pareja created the first written system for the Timucua language at this place and made teaching materials to help local people. This writing system was one of the few recorded versions of a Native American language from that era.

Location: Jacksonville

Inception: 1578

GPS coordinates: 30.41000,-81.43000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03