Santa Elena

In 1571, it became the capital of La Florida. | He erected fort San Marcos in six days in defence against a Native American attack such as the one that forced the abandonment of the town a year earlier. | The town had flourished, nearing 400 residents, since its establishment more than a decade earlier in 1566 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles who had founded La Florida and St. Augustine the year before. | Marquez arrived in October 1577 at the abandoned town of Santa Elena with two ships carrying pre-fabricated posts and heavy planking.