Near Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Indian Village Achuse
Photographed by TRCP Alliance, June 19, 2013
1. Indian Village Achuse Marker
This Shell Banks Baptist Church rests near the location of the first Indian village in America visited by a white man. This was the Indian village of Achuse visited by Admiral Maldonado who was one of De Sotos officers. He scouted the Florida and Alabama coast from Tampa Bay and entered the port of Achuse before De Soto started from Tampa Bay on the longest, strangest, boldest adventure in the history of the world. This was in 1539, 81 years before the Pilgrims kneeled at Plymouth Rock and 68 years before the colony landed at Jamestown. The name of this village, Achuse is shown at this location on the official map made by the U.S. De Soto Expedition Commission created by Congress in 1936. On an old crude Spanish map made of the Gulf Coast region in the 16th century, the Indian village of Achuse shows on this map near the same location, now occupied by the Shell Banks Baptist Church.
This Marker is presented by: Addison & Dorothy Mauldin and Milton & Ruth Ewing in Loving Memory of their parents, Charles & Sena Ewing. Written by Hatchett Chandler, December 23, 1966.
Erected 1966.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1539.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast and in Mobile Bay. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in 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 Viceroyalty of New France, 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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Alabamas Coastal Connection (approx. 0.9 miles away); Vicinity of Salt Works and Camp Anderson (approx. 5.8 miles away); The Charles Swift Family / Swift Coles Historic Home (approx. 6.7 miles away); Camp Withers (approx. 7.3 miles away); Gulf Shores Community (approx. 7½ miles away); Navy Cove / Pilot Town (approx. 8.9 miles away); Magnolia Springs, Alabama (approx. 10.7 miles away); The Springs (approx. 10.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulf Shores.
Photographed by TRCP Alliance, June 19, 2013
2. Indian Village Achuse Marker (East)
Photographed by TRCP Alliance, June 19, 2013
3. Indian Village Achuse Marker (West)
Photographed by TRCP Alliance, June 19, 2013
4. Shell Banks Baptist Church Located On The Site Of The Indian Village Achuse
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 6,178 times since then and 250 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
