Near New Houlka in Pontotoc County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Hernando de Soto

Photographed by Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

1. Hernando de Soto Marker

Inscription. Somewhere in this vicinity, the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto crossed the animal paths that later became the Natchez Trace. In 1539, he set out on a long arduous journey that took him across the Southeastern United States. He crossed the Tombigbee River, east of here, in December 1540, and spent the ensuing winter among the nearby Chickasaw Indians. After a dispute with the Indians, de Soto and his army moved westward. He is credited with discovering the Mississippi River south of Memphis, Tennessee, in June 1541.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Natchez Trace series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1541.

Location. 34° 2.406′ N, 88° 52.951′ W. Marker is near New Houlka, Mississippi, in Pontotoc County. It is on Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 243.3), 0.2 miles north of County Road 413, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Houlka MS 38850, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chickasaw Agency (approx. 1.9 miles away); Monroe Mission Station (approx. 2.3 miles

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away); William Colbert's Last Homesite (approx. 2.6 miles away); Owl Creek Mounds (approx. 2.6 miles away); Archaeology at Owl Creek Mounds (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Archaeology at Owl Creek Mounds (approx. 2.6 miles away); Archaeology Determines the Age of Owl Creek Mounds (approx. 2.6 miles away); De Soto's Expedition (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Houlka.

Also see . . . Natchez Trace. Official National Park Service website. (Submitted on June 29, 2015.)

Photographed by Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

2. Hernando de Soto Marker

Hernando de Soto Turnout on the Natchez Trace Parkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

3. Hernando de Soto Turnout on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,234 times since then and 121 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.