Five hundred years after Ponce de Leon explored the area, locals swear by an artesian well with unusual properties.
Five hundred years ago in June, the Spanish conquistador
Juan Ponce de Leon started his journey back to Puerto Rico from Florida
after becoming the first European to land on mainland America.
After
exploring the east coast of Florida, he circled the peninsula and
explored the west coast, including modern-day Charlotte Harbor (see map), most likely the location he chose for his second voyage.
According to legend, the explorer set out in search of the fountain of youth, a fabled stream that would extend the life of anyone lucky enough to drink from it.
Thanks to the myth of Ponce de Leon's trip, Florida—known for its large population of retirees—is
now awash in "fountains of youth." Dozens of bodies of water claim the
title of the one legendary fountain, from mineral springs to
deep-water wells, not to mention water from a variety of sources that
is piped into various built structures.
Only one, however, is known to be radioactive. And, oddly, it might be actually extending life.
In Punta Gorda, a town on Charlotte Harbor, a blocky,
green-tiled fountain abuts an empty lot near the harbor. A spigot juts
out near the top to release water from the artesian well below. Each of
the four sides features a picture of a ship, a tribute to Ponce de
Leon.
On the side facing away from the street, a public health
notice warns that the water "exceeds the maximum contaminant level for
radioactivity."
The water from the well is also heavy in sulfates, which
give it a distinctive smell of rotten eggs. This hasn't stopped the
locals from drinking from it regularly.
"I drank out of that well every day," said Gussie Baker, a resident of Punta Gorda for all of her 78 years.
For the rest of the story: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130719-florida-fountain-of-youth-radioactive-magnesium-health/?utm_source=feedburner&
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