In 1513, what we now call the Florida Peninsula was encountered for the first time by a European. Fast forward 500 years, and the same strip of beautiful land has developed into a hotbed for fine agriculture and a destination that people from all over the world wish to visit and call home. If you are a Fort Lauderdale area apartment resident who is interested in learning about the events that took place in present-day Florida between the arrival of a group of explorers in the early 16th century and the present time, then you should pencil a visit to the Plantation Historical Museum for sometime between now and October 26th. On display is:
Florida’s Rich and Colorful History
On March 3, 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon set off from Puerto Rico with an appetite to explore more of the new world. Almost exactly a month later, he glimpsed the Florida peninsula for the first time. In the centuries that followed, countless battles were fought between European colonists and indigenous tribesmen. The Spanish, French, and British all vied for and gained control of Florida or parts of it for varying lengths of time. In an effort to develop the region when it was under Spanish rule in the 18th century, Spain offered land grants to those living in the American colonies who were willing to settle in Florida. After the First Seminole War in 1817-1818, America gained control of Florida. In 1845, it became the 27th state of the United States of America.
Conquistador Period Items
It was during the conquisradores’ reign of the peninsula that present-day Florida was given its name. Florida is Spanish for “flowery land,” a name that was probably selected because Ponce de Leon and his entourage arrived in Florida during the height of the spring season. When the Spanish arrived, they brought with them Christianity, horses, cattle, the Spanish language, and numerous traditions. As they ruled over present-day Florida, they tried to retain a sense of their Spanish origin, something that is still evident in the architecture of St. Augustine, a city that the Spanish made the capital of East Florida during the 1700s. When the Spanish ceded control of Florida to the U.S. after the First Seminole War, they left behind brass stirrups, conquistador shields, and various other artifacts, many of which are on display at the Fort Lauderdale’s Plantation Florida Museum exhibit.
Florida Memorabilia
From metal coins to regional flags to traditional attire, several important items have been fashioned overs Florida’s five-century long history that are emblematic of the state. The most comprehensive and best-preserved collection of these items is currently on display in the Plantation Florida Museum.
The offer to receive a sizable plot of land in exchange for relocating to Florida may no longer be on the table for would-be residents, but a number of affordable living options still exist for those who wish to live in southeastern Florida in style. If luxury apartment living is what you are seeking and the area that stretches from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale appeals to you, then you should look into AMLI Residential’s South Florida apartment rental options. In the meantime, head on over to the area’s Plantation Florida Museum to learn more about what was going on in Florida long before you were born.
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