Pensacola, Florida: America's Forgotten First Settlement

We all learn in U.S. history that America's first English settlement was Jamestown, Virginia, with its founding in 1607; however, most people aren't aware that Pensacola, Florida, was actually the earliest European settlement in mainland America with its founding in 1559 by the Spanish.

Although the area that is now Pensacola was first seen by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, it wasn't until Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano landed on Pensacola's shores on August 15, 1559, with a fleet of 11 ships and over 1,400 crew, that the colony was founded.

Unfortunately, they soon discovered what the major downfall of living in the Southeastern region of this country is: hurricanes. Less than one month after their initial arrival, their growing colony was completely destroyed: 400 people perished, supplies were ruined and five ships sank all at the hands of a violent hurricane.

For the next two years, the remaining settlers attempted to relocate and resupply the colony before finally giving up in 1561 and abandoning the area. It wasn't until 1698 that the area would be officially resettled by Spain. Due to the fact that Tristan de Luna's early settlement survived for less than two years, Pensacola's historical significance doesn't seem to get the appreciation that it deserves-at least not from outsiders.

Anybody that is from Pensacola, or has been living there long enough to consider it home, will not hesitate to regale a newcomer with fascinating anecdotes of the city's past. Indeed, Pensacolans seem to have a sort of humble pride about the place they call home, and for good reason; Pensacola truly does have a unique history worth sharing.

When Tristan de Luna unsuccessfully tried to settle the Pensacola bay area, he had named it Bahia Santa Maria de Filipina; however, the land was renamed Panzacola (after the Panzacola Indians in the region) by royal order of Spanish King Ferdinand VI in 1757. Understandably, over hundreds of years the name has morphed into Pensacola-not too far off!

Through Pensacola's 450-year history it has been ruled by five different countries, thus giving the city its nickname: "City of Five Flags." Pensacola, during some time or another, has been ruled by Spain, France, Britain, the Confederacy and of course now the United States. Needless to say, the influences of these different cultures can all still be seen today.

Pensacola's bay was once protected by four forts: Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens, Fort McRee and Advanced Redoubt. The forts played an integral role during the civil war, most notably Fort Pickens which remained occupied by Union soldiers even though Florida had become a Confederate state. The Union soldiers managed to keep Fort Pickens under their control even though Confederate soldiers were controlling all of the other forts in Pensacola and trying to take over Fort Pickens, as well. The Confederates decided to abandon Pensacola harbor in May 1862, allowing the Union to take control of the area. Throughout the remainder of the Civil War, Pensacola remained under the Union. The forts acted as an important base of operations for raids into Florida and Alabama and as a prison for military and political prisoners.

Naval Air Station Pensacola (NAS Pensacola) is another significant piece of Pensacola's past and present. Known as "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", Pensacola's was the first naval air station built in the U.S. in 1913. The base is known for the training it provides for all Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aviators. NAS Pensacola is also home to the Naval Air and Operational Medical Institute (NAOMI) which trains all naval flight surgeons, aviation physiologists and aviation experimental psychologists.

Also, Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) is based aboard NAS Pensacola and provides technical training schools for nearly all enlisted aircraft maintenance and enlisted aircrew specialties in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.

There is no denying the military influence that has so impacted the Pensacola area both in history, the not-so-distant past and presently. There is so much more to Pensacola that is worth learning, from the religious history, culinary influences, art... the list goes on. This article simply highlights some of the history of Pensacola that makes it such a unique American city that is definitely worth visiting.