Near Chatsworth in Murray County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
De Soto in Georgia
Photographed by David Seibert, February 19, 2005
1. DeSoto in Georgia Marker
In May 1539 Hernando de Soto landed in Florida with over 600 people, 220 horses and mules, and a herd of swine reserved for famine. Fired by his success in Pizarro's conquest of Peru, De Soto had been granted the rights, by the King of Spain, to explore, then govern, southeastern North America.
After wintering in Tallahassee, the De Soto expedition set out on a quest for gold which eventually spanned four years and crossed portions of nine states. This was the first recorded European exploration of the interior of the Southeast. Over 300 members died on the expedition, including De Soto in 1542. This tremendous effort forever changed the lives of the Indians who were infected with old world diseases, killed in battle, enslaved, made destitute and sometimes befriended.
Many scholars believe that the De Soto expedition entered Georgia north of here and reached the central town of the Chiefdom of Coosa, July 16, 1540. The Spanish spent over a month a rich fortified town between the two streams. Spanish accounts from the De Soto and Tristan de Luna expeditions, and 16th century Spanish artifacts indicate this was the location of Coosa.
Erected 1990 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 105-12.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these
this page online
Location. 34° 36.678′ N, 84° 40.031′ W. Marker is near Chatsworth, Georgia, in Murray County. It is on Carter 2½ miles north of Georgia Route 136, on the right. The marker is located in the parking lot at the end of Carter's Dam Road in Carter's Lake State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chatsworth GA 30705, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Federal Road (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fort Gilmer (approx. 4.2 miles away); a different marker also named Forks of the Old Federal Road (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Zell Miller Mountain Parkway (approx. 9.8 miles away); Old Holly Creek P.O. (approx. 9.9 miles away); Field's Mill & Ferry (approx. 10 miles away); Site of Carmel (Taloney) Mission Station (approx. 10.4 miles away); Purple Heart - Combat Wounded (approx. 10.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatsworth.
Other markers no longer
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 28, 2025
2. De Soto in Georgia Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Hernando de Soto in Georgia. New Georgia Encyclopedia entry (Submitted on June 30, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,998 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 18, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on October 28, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
