Pensacola is 467 years old as of August 19, 2026, counting from 1559, when Spanish explorer Tristán de Luna established a settlement on Pensacola Bay. That settlement lasted until 1561 and is recognized as the first multi-year European colonial settlement in what is now the continental United States. Visit Pensacola’s history summary

One nuance: the modern permanent Spanish town was founded later, in 1698—but Pensacola’s 1559 origin is why it often calls itself “America’s First Settlement.”

👉 Are you looking for the quick history, or the best local places to see Pensacola’s early history in person?