St. Petersburg, Florida: First Mass and Exploration by White Man
Two-for-one claim-to-fame spot: a little bayside park with a plaque and sign announcing it as the site of the "First Mass in Florida" and the "First Exploration by White Man of the North American Continent."
- Address:
- 8398 Elbow Lane N., St. Petersburg, FL
- Directions:
- In the small Jungle Prada de Navaez Park, which is on the bay side of Park St. N. at its intersection with Elbow Lane N. The big Exploration By White Man sign faces Park St. N. at the park entrance; the First Mass In Florida plaque is further back, at the entrance to the boat ramp. Park in the lot, not at the boat ramp.
- Admission:
- Free
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A big sign announces that the "first exploration by White Man of the North American continent" began here; a smaller bronze plaque pegs it as the site of the "First Mass in Florida." In April 1528 this was the landing site of the first Europeans on the continent. Five ships arrived, led by Panfilo de Narvaez, on what proved to be a doomed expedition. Narvaez is not very well known in the history books, but he was the first.
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