What’s in a name?

Well many Florida locations are derived from famous people of the past.

Take the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”, a true jewel in the northeast.

Many are drawn to Florida’s wealthy fish population and high-quality deep-sea fishing, Captain Leonard Destin made his way to the Gulf Coast in the 1840s. He settled west of the Panhandle, just east of Pensacola, on an island-like peninsula. Years after his death, his best mate, Captain Billy Marler, continued building the village with fishing camps and tourist cottages. In 1896, Marler officially established “the luckiest fishing village in the world,” and named it “Destin.”

Florida has always been seen as a boating “paradise.” Another notable sea captain who recognized the potential and wonder of the shores on the state’s coastline, was Ponce De Leon. What’s in a name? In 1513, Ponce De Leon discovered Florida, naming it “La Florida” or “land of flowers.”

Spain’s most experienced admiral of his time, Don Pedro Menendez set sail to Florida in 1565 with the task of driving out unwanted settlers and pirates. On August 28th, he arrived on Florida’s west coast and established a village known as St. Augustine, merely eleven days later. His success is shared among his 600 soldiers as well as a hurricane that assisted in defeating the French fleet.

But it wasn’t just the “good guys” who were attracted to Florida. Some of the more noteworthy pirates in history, including Black Caesar, Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Calico Jack, and Jean Lafitte.