Abbeville in Wilcox County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
De Soto Trail
1540
Photographed by David Seibert, January 17, 2011
1. DeSoto Trail Marker
Hernando de Soto discovered Ocmulgee River at or near Abbeville on April 3, 1540. Here, says the chronicler Biedma, we found a river that had a course not southwardly, like the rest we had passed, but eastward to the sea. Next day the Altamaha Indians brought many canoes and the army crossed very comfortably to their principal town where they met its chief Camumo and the great chief of Ocute from the river above, and here they created a second wooden cross.
De Soto Quadri-Centennial-1940
Erected 1940 by Works Progress Administration (WPA). (Marker Number 11 H-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1915.
Location. 31° 59.551′ N, 83° 18.406′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, Georgia, in Wilcox County. It is at the intersection of North Broad Street (U.S. 129) and East Main Street (U.S. 280), on the left when traveling south on North Broad Street. The
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Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jefferson Davis Camp Site (here, next to this marker); Wilcox County (a few steps from this marker); Jefferson Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilcox County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Jefferson Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); New Hope Primitive Baptist Church (approx.
Photographed by David Seibert, January 17, 2011
2. DeSoto Trail Marker
Also see . . . Hernando de Soto in Georgia. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on February 5, 2011.)
Photographed by David Seibert, January 17, 2011
3. DeSoto Trail Marker
Looking west at the intersection of North Broad Street (US 129) on the right and Main Street (US 280) at left.
Photographed by David Seibert, January 17, 2011
4. DeSoto Trail Marker
The marker stands on the right in front of the Wilcox County Courthouse, built in 1903.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,257 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 5, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
