French Occupation

Santa Elena was originally a French outpost in the current region of South Carolina, but was abandoned after a year by the French. Later on, the Spanish rebuit a new outpost in the same region, but renamed it Santa Elena. Santa Elena was an important outpost for the Spanish govrment and served as the capital of the Florida territory for over 21 years before being abandoned. After the outpost was abandoned, for the final time in 1587, it was lost for over 433 years before being found recently. When Ribault, the fouder of the the outpost, left for the new world he had several goals in mind including: establishing a French stronghold to help raid the Spanish armadas and to help avoid religous prosecution. Ribault left from Le Harve in february 1562 and did not arive to Florida until April 30. On May 17th, 1562 Riibault entered Port Royal. When Ribault left charlesfort he expected a very quick trip; however, there was religious warfare that was blocking the way, forcing him to go to england to get help from Elizabeth I. Twenty-One men left on a small boat in the spring of 1563, which ended the French occupation of the Santa Elena area.

First Spanish occupation

The first Spanish occupation of Santa Elena was 10 years long, from 1566 to 1576. The original garrison at St. Elena was about 250 men led by Captain Juan Pardo. By about 1568 in addition to the original 250 soldiers living in the town there were another 200 civilians living in 40 houses throughout the town. An organized government controlled the town and the Jesuit missionaries began to work on converting the Indians and communities around Santa Elena. The missionaries trying to convert began negative relations with the Indians, which eventually escalated to the point where, in 1576, the Indians attacked the fort and 30 soldiers were killed forcing its temporary abandonment.

Second Spanish occupation

In October of 1577, Menendez Marquez was sent with 53 men to reoccupy Santa Elena, and did so in only six days. The next several years were spent subduing the hostile Indian presence and in 1580 when the danger level was depreciated enough, settlers began to return. By late 1580 the population in Santa Elena had swollen to over 400 citizens. By the summer of 1587 the Spanish, because of the incumbent threat of the British from the north, abandoned the settlement of Santa Elena. All of the salvageable supplies were taken from the town and everything else was burned.

DePratter, Chester (December 15, 1999). Santa Elena. Retrieved August 30, 2006, Web site: http://www.cas.sc.edu/sciaa/staff/depratterc/newweb.htm

DePratter, Chester (December 1, 1999). Charlesfort. Retrieved August 30, 2006, Web site: http://www.cas.sc.edu/sciaa/staff/depratterc/chas1.html