Bainbridge in Decatur County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
De Soto Trail
1540
Photographed by David Seibert, May 16, 2012
1. De Soto Trail Marker
In this neighborhood Hernando de Soto and his army discovered the inland waters of the Flint River (“the River of Capachequi”) on Friday, March 5, 1540. Leaving the vicinity of the present Tallahassee, Florida, the Spaniards marched northwest, spent the first night by the Ochlockonee River (“the Guacuca”), and reached the Flint two days later at or near the present Bainbridge, where they constructed a barge or “piragua” in which to cross.
Erected 1940 by Works Progress Administration for the De Soto Quadri-Centennial 1940. (Marker Number 27 R-6-A.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1778.
Location. 30° 54.382′ N, 84° 34.547′ W. Marker is in Bainbridge, Georgia, in Decatur County. It is at the intersection of North Broad Street (Business U.S. 27) and East Water Street, on the left when traveling north on North Broad Street. The marker is at the northeast corner of Willis Park. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in 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 walking distance of this marker: Civil War Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Marvin Griffin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bainbridge Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); Winecoff Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Decatur County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Revolutionary Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Decatur County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct
Photographed by David Seibert, May 16, 2012
2. De Soto Trail Marker
Also see . . . Hernando de Soto in Georgia. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on June 3, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed by David Seibert, May 16, 2012
3. De Soto Trail Marker
Looking north on North Broad Street (US 27 Business), right, at the intersection with East Water Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,126 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
