Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Landfall

— De Soto National Memorial —

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026

1. Landfall Marker

Inscription. The 1519 landing of the De Soto expedition was a massive undertaking. First the ship crews had to work the vessels over sandbars and into the bay. Then boat after boat rowed hundreds of expedition members ashore. Grooms coaxed over 200 horses into the water and swam them to the beach. Sentries guarded the operation.

For the expedition's first long-term camp, De Soto chose an Indigenous village about eight miles from where the men and horses had disembarked. There, crews rowed the rest of the supplies to shore. These included clothing, food, camp gear, livestock, armor, and weapons. They also included chains and shackles--essential supplies for subjugation and conquest.

Erected 2025 by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1539.

Location. 27° 31.451′ N, 82° 38.622′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It can be reached from 75th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8300 75th St NW, Bradenton

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FL 34209, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: Memorial Trail (a few steps from this marker); A Stroke of Luck (within shouting distance of this marker); De Soto's Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Struggle and Resistance (within shouting distance of this marker); Arrival (within shouting distance of this marker); Hernando de Soto (within shouting distance of this marker); La Florida's Early Peoples (within shouting distance of this marker); Marking the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.

Landfall Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026

2. Landfall Marker - wide view

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.