Florida History Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida in 1513 when he lands in NE Florida, possibly near present-day St. Augustine, to claim Florida for Spain. This is when written records about life in Florida began. First permanent European settlement is established in 1565 in St. Augustine by Spain. Florida becomes a U.S. Territory in 1821. General Andrew Jackson serves as military governor until Congress ratifies a territorial constitution. William P. Duval, Florida's first civil governor, calls the first Legislative Council into session in Pensacola on June 19, 1823. Admitted to U.S. as a State on March 3, 1845 (27th State)