Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Camp Uzita
De Soto National Memorial
Photographed by Dave W, February 25, 2023
1. Camp Uzita Marker
This Spanish Camp was built to resemble De Soto’s base camp at the Indian village of Uzita. Under Captain Pedro Calderon’s command, approximately one hundred soldiers, sailors, and horsemen operated “Camp Uzita” as a supply port, with instructions from De Soto “that they remain in that place, not moving to any other, until he should send them new orders.”
For five months, Calderon’s company guarded the expedition’s supplied while De Soto and the main army marched north toward present-day Tallahassee, Florida. Finally, De Soto ordered Captain Calderon to abandon the base camp and join the main army in Tallahassee for the winter of 1539-1540.
(captions)
Flag of an Empire
Sometimes referred to as the “Spanish Military Flag,” the Cross of Burgundy was carried by Spain’s armies in “La Florida” for 250 years, from 1513 to 1763.
From mid-December through mid-April, park rangers and volunteers dress as conquistadors and bring the clash of 16th-century Spanish and American Indian cultures to life through the daily presentation of programs and demonstrations.
Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 27° 31.413′ N, 82° 38.682′ W. Marker was in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It could be reached from Desoto Memorial Highway 0.3 miles north of 24th Avenue Northwest when traveling north. Located at the De Soto National Memoria. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy, 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 walking distance of this location: Uzita (here, next to this marker); De Soto National Memorial (a few steps from this marker); In the Longhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); People of Place (within shouting distance of this marker); DeSoto Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Knight of Santiago (within shouting distance
Photographed by Dave W, February 25, 2023
2. Camp Uzita Marker
Also see . . . De Soto National Memorial. National Park Service (Submitted on February 26, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
