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

Escape Down the Mississippi River

— De Soto National Memorial —

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026

1. Escape Down the Mississippi River Marker

Inscription. In September of 1542, after their failed attempt to reach Mexico overland, the expedition arrived back at the Mississippi River. Through the winter and spring the surviving craftsmen directed construction of several shallow-draft boats. Supplies were so meager that the boatbuilding teams repurposed weapons and horseshoes into nails. They made rope out of bark and stole shawls from the Indigenous people to stitch together into sails.

In July of 1543 the men loaded the fleet with food, water, and their remaining horses and cast off downriver. As they sailed down the Mississippi River, Indigenous people from powerful river towns swarmed out to attack. To lighten their load the Spaniards killed and ate their remaining 22 horses.

It took the group over two months to descend the river and cross the Gulf of Mexico. On September 10, 1543, 311 ragged survivors landed on the Mexican shore.

(Caption):
When they departed, the expedition abandoned hundreds of enslaved Indigenous people, leaving them far from home and deep in hostile territory.

Erected 2025 by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1543.

Location. 27° 31.41′ N, 82° 38.567′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It can be reached from Desoto Memorial Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton 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: A Land Transformed (within shouting distance of this marker); A Long and Fruitless March (within shouting distance of this marker); Struggle and Resistance

Escape Down the Mississippi River Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026

2. Escape Down the Mississippi River Marker - wide view

(within shouting distance of this marker); A Stroke of Luck (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Death of a Conquistador (about 300 feet away); Landfall (about 400 feet away); De Soto's Expedition (about 400 feet away); Memorial Trail (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.

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