<P> In 1513 , Spanish explorers landed in Florida and claimed their discovery for Spain ( see Spanish Florida ) . The first Europeans to visit the area were Spanish missionaries and explorers from this period . In February 1562 , French naval officer Jean Ribault and a 150 settlers arrived seeking land for a safe haven for the French Huguenots , Protestants suffering religious persecution in France . Ribault explored the mouth of the St. Johns River before moving north and establishing the colony of Charlesfort on what is now Parris Island , South Carolina . Ribault returned to France for supplies , but tensions from French Wars of Religion had broken out during his absence . His return to Florida was delayed as a result . Without leadership or provisions , the colonists abandoned Charlesfort . In 1564 Ribault 's former lieutenant , René Goulaine de Laudonnière , launched a new expedition to found a colony on the St. Johns River . On June 22 , 1564 , the settlers established Fort Caroline atop the St. Johns Bluff . </P>
<P> In 1513 , Spanish explorers landed in Florida and claimed their discovery for Spain ( see Spanish Florida ) . The first Europeans to visit the area were Spanish missionaries and explorers from this period . In February 1562 , French naval officer Jean Ribault and a 150 settlers arrived seeking land for a safe haven for the French Huguenots , Protestants suffering religious persecution in France . Ribault explored the mouth of the St. Johns River before moving north and establishing the colony of Charlesfort on what is now Parris Island , South Carolina . Ribault returned to France for supplies , but tensions from French Wars of Religion had broken out during his absence . His return to Florida was delayed as a result . Without leadership or provisions , the colonists abandoned Charlesfort . In 1564 Ribault 's former lieutenant , René Goulaine de Laudonnière , launched a new expedition to found a colony on the St. Johns River . On June 22 , 1564 , the settlers established Fort Caroline atop the St. Johns Bluff . </P>
what was the original name of jacksonville florida
what was the original name of jacksonville florida
Fort Caroline
Fort Caroline