Tabby House Ruins

De Soto National Memorial

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2012

1. Tabby House Ruins Marker

Inscription. Although the origin of the tabby ruins is not known for certain, William H. Shaw is credited with its construction soon after settling here in 1843. The Shaw family lived and worked here until a Seminole Indian uprising in 1856 drove them to Key West. Recent archeological investigations suggest earlier use of this site as a Spanish fishing camp beginning in the late 1700s.

What is Tabby?
Tabby is a mixture of oyster shells, lime, sand and water. The wet mixture was poured in successive levels about 6 inches deep. Building with tabby was a time-consuming process, each layer taking up to three days to harden. Once the wall was built, a plaster of lime, sand, and water was spread over the structure to waterproof it and provide a smooth finish.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 27° 31.488′ N, 82° 38.515′ W.

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Marker was in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It could be reached from Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW) 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW when traveling north. Marker is located within the DeSoto National Memorial Park, near the north end of the DeSoto Expedition Trail, along the Manatee River beach, about 2/10 mile north of the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8300 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton FL 34209, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It was also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Tabby House Ruins (<i>located beside marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2012

2. Tabby House Ruins (located beside marker)

walking distance of this location: A Punishing Winter (a few steps from this marker); Cofitachequi (a few steps from this marker); Tabby House on the Seashore (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Mabila (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Wide River (within shouting distance of this marker); Death of a Conquistador (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Driven Out of Chicaza (about 300 feet away); Back to Angola (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. De Soto Point (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. De Soto National Memorial

Also see . . .
1. Tabby. Tabby is a type of building material used in the coastal Southeast from the late 1500s to the 1850s. True tabby is made of equal parts lime, water, sand, oyster shells, and ash. The ash is a byproduct of preparing the lime, but its presence contributes to the hardening of the end product. Tabby can be poured into molds for foundations, walls, floors,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2012

3. Tabby House Ruins (located beside marker)

roofs, columns, and other structural elements. It dries to a hard finish, is generally a grayish-white color with variations according to the materials used, and is extremely durable. It is best maintained by applying stucco to the outer surfaces as protection from water damage. (Submitted on October 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Tabby house ruin listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two historic structures are currently identified in the park: the 400th anniversary monument and the Tabby House Ruins. (Submitted on October 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,549 times since then and 221 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.