San Juan del Puerto
From Academic Kids
The Catholic mission of San Juan del Puerto was founded on Fort St. George Island near the mouth of the St. Johns River near Jacksonville, Florida around 1578.
The mission was one of the oldest and most long-standing Spanish missions in Florida. It was established by Franciscans to proselytize to the Timucua and Guale Indians who lived along the coast. The area was central to the struggle between England and Spain over control of Georgia and Florida in 1702.
The mission buildings were destroyed in 1763.
An archaeological dig has been undertaken on the site.
