1 ► Florida, Manatee County, Bradenton — 1a — Hernando de Soto — Florida De Soto Trail — Off to Seek His Fortune —

In Panama with Pedrarias Hernando de Soto, second son of a country hidalgo, or minor noble, was born around 1500 in the Extremadura region of Spain. At age 13, he left home to seek his fortune in the New World. After proving he had . . . — — Map (db m126567) HM

2 ► Florida, Manatee County, Bradenton — 1b — La Florida's Early Peoples — Florida De Soto Trail —

Born of Nomads The early peoples of the Americas were descended from nomadic tribes that arrived during the last Ice Age—more than 12,000 years ago. Florida’s climate resembled that of savannah Africa. Early hunters tracked mastodons, . . . — — Map (db m126568) HM

3 ► Florida, Manatee County, Terra Ceia — 2b — Danger Approaches — Florida De Soto Trail — 1539-1540 —

Bountiful Waters Early peoples living along the warm waters of this coast harvested the vast bounty of the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding lands. They built villages with intricate canals, lagoons, and mounds made of shell and earth. Early . . . — — Map (db m126565) HM

4 ► Florida, Manatee County, Terra Ceia — 2a — Realizing a Dream — Florida De Soto Trail — May 29, 1539 —

A Name for Himself On May 29, 1539, Hernando de Soto’s fleet of 9 ships passed here, carrying over 700 men, as well as women, children, and slaves. For De Soto, this was the realization of a long-awaited dream. In 1533, after participating . . . — — Map (db m126564) HM

5 ► Florida, Hillsborough County, Ruskin — 3 — Landing in La Florida — Florida De Soto Trail — May 30, 1539 —

It’s May 30, 1539… Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto has arrived here in La Florida, Land of Flowers, and stepped ashore – My men can now offload our nine ships. We have sailed with 500 tons of materials needed for our . . . — — Map (db m126569) HM

6 ► Florida, Hillsborough County, Ruskin — 4 — Staking Their Claim — Florida De Soto Trail — June 1, 1539 —

(Left panel) De Soto Trail 1539-1540 You are standing along the historic route of the conquistador Hernando de Soto and his expedition through the Florida Native American territories in his quest for gold and glory. . . . — — Map (db m126570) HM

7 ► Florida, Hillsborough County, Riverview — 5 — Saved from Slavery — Florida De Soto Trail — June 20, 1539 —

It’s June 20, 1539… Juan Ortiz, a lost Spaniard from an earlier expedition with Pánfilo de Narváez, is found by De Soto’s men not far from here. He tells his story – Ten years ago I was captured by Chief Ucita. I later escaped to the . . . — — Map (db m126571) HM

8 ► Florida, Orange County, Windermere — 6 — Forced Eastward — Florida De Soto Trail — July 17, 1539 —

It’s July 17, 1539… Hernando de Soto’s army has moved further north to the shores of this large lake – We have decided to name the lake St. John. Those of us in the cavalry have just returned from scouting ahead. We searched the . . . — — Map (db m126572) HM

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9 ► Florida, Pasco County, Zephyrhills — 9 — A Harsh Green Desert — Florida De Soto Trail — July 18, 1539 —

It’s July 18, 1539… Hernando de Soto’s army has crossed the nearby grasslands they call the green desert – We could find no water in this lush green environment. Due to the intense summer sun, many of our men have succumbed to heat . . . — — Map (db m126573) HM

10 ► Florida, Pasco County, Dade City — 10 — As Good as Gold — Florida De Soto Trail — July 19, 1539 —

It’s July 19, 1539… Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army has turned northward – We have found several Indian villages in this area. Many are abandoned but stocked full of harvested corn. ”The next day they came to the . . . — — Map (db m126566) HM

11 ► Florida, Hernando County, Richloam — 11 — Rumors of Riches — Florida De Soto Trail — July 20, 1539 —

It’s July 20, 1539… Here at the Indian village called Luca, Calvary Captain Baltasar de Gallegos reports back to Hernando de Soto – My mission to meet with the great Chief Urriparacoxi was unsuccessful. The chief hid in the . . . — — Map (db m126574) HM

12 ► Florida, Hernando County, Istachatta — 12 — Pressing Onward — Florida De Soto Trail — July 23, 1539 —

It’s July 23, 1539… Conquistador Hernando de Soto and his advance guard of 12 horsemen have just passed the small Indian village of Vicela… I have decided not to stop here. We must press on further north and reach the chiefdom of . . . — — Map (db m126575) HM

13 ► Florida, Citrus County, Floral City — 13 — What Lies Ahead — Florida De Soto Trail — July 24, 1539 —

It’s July 24, 1539… Hernando de Soto’s army has set up camp at a nearby Indian village, Tocaste - I moved ahead with a small scouting party. Just north of the village, we discovered a broad road, which I believe may be the entrance . . . — — Map (db m126576) HM

14 ► Florida, Citrus County, Inverness — 14 — Surprise Attack — Florida De Soto Trail — July 25, 1539 —

It’s July 25, 1539… Captain Moscoso is leading Hernando de Soto’s army north, from the village of Tocaste, to support De Soto’s scouting party… Passing near a large lake, we were met by messengers sent by De Soto. They told us the . . . — — Map (db m126577) HM

15 ► Florida, Citrus County, Inverness — 15 — Close to Starvation — Florida De Soto Trail — July 26, 1539 —

It’s July 26, 1539… An advance guard of Hernando de Soto’s army has moved through a nearby area and crossed the present-day Withlacoochee River - It took us two days to cross the river. The rest of our army soon followed. Weighed . . . — — Map (db m126578) HM

16 ► Florida, Marion County, Dunnellon — 16 — Rest for the Weary — Florida De Soto Trail — July 29, 1539 —

It’s July 29, 1539… De Soto’s weary and starving army arrives at the village of Ocale - We found the village abandoned but full of food and supplies. I ordered my men to rest and then gather enough provisions for the next several . . . — — Map (db m126579) HM

17 ► Florida, Marion County, Dunnellon — 17 — Badly Wounded — Florida De Soto Trail — August 11, 1539 —

It’s August 11, 1539… Hernando de Soto has taken a small force of 60 cavalry and 100 foot soldiers north through Timucuan territory towards the land of the Apalachee - I have entrusted Captain Moscoso to lead the army north, while I . . . — — Map (db m126580) HM

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18 ► Florida, Alachua County, Gainesville — 19 — Forced into Service — Florida De Soto Trail — August 13, 1539 —

It’s August 13, 1539… Hernando de Soto and his scouting party are passing through the Indian villages of Utinamocharra located just south of here – My army of more than 700 men follow behind. We will march quickly through . . . — — Map (db m126581) HM

19 ► Florida, Alachua County, High Springs — 21 — Fear Stricken — Florida De Soto Trail — August 15, 1539 —

It’s August 15, 1539… Hernando de Soto and his scouts arrive at the Indian village of Cholupaha. It lies along the present-day Santa Fe River, which runs through here – My Men captured several Indians and questioned them . . . — — Map (db m126582) HM

20 ► Florida, Columbia County, Fort White — 22 — A Chief is Seized — Florida De Soto Trail — August 17, 1539 —

It’s August 17, 1539… When Hernando de Soto’s scouts sight the abandoned Indian village of Caliquen, Cavalry Captain Baltasar de Gallegos is ordered to move ahead – My men and I were sent to check for food and supplies. When . . . — — Map (db m127006) HM

21 ► Florida, Columbia County, Lake City — 23 — A Bargaining Chip — Florida De Soto Trail — September 10, 1539 —

It’s September 10, 1539… Conquistador Hernando de Soto has come to Uriutina, a deserted Indian village near here. We have feasted upon the bounty of food left behind by the fleeing villagers. Messengers sent by Chief Uzachile have . . . — — Map (db m126584) HM

22 ► Florida, Suwannee County, Live Oak — 24 — Drenched for Days — Florida De Soto Trail — September 12, 1539 —

It’s September 12, 1539… Hernando de Soto’s army has stopped at a small abandoned village not far away – We have been forced to remain in this village for three days now. Torrential rains have halted our progress. We will remember . . . — — Map (db m126585) HM

23 ► Florida, Suwannee County, Live Oak — 25 — Plot Exposed — Florida De Soto Trail — September 15, 1539 —

It’s September 15, 1539… Hernando de Soto and his army have arrived at the nearby village of Napituca. His interpreter, Juan Ortiz, later recounts – Upon our arrival, De Soto met with several chiefs who demanded the release of . . . — — Map (db m126586) HM

24 ► Florida, Madison County, Lee — 26 — Peace Offering — Florida De Soto Trail — September 23, 1539 —

It’s September 23, 1539… Conquistador Hernando de Soto and his men have reached a large river, the present-day Suwannee – My nose is broken, and we are weary from battle. We will rest here for two days before crossing. Envoys of . . . — — Map (db m126587) HM

25 ► Florida, Leon County, Tallahassee, Woodland Drives — 29b — Land of the Apalachee — Florida De Soto Trail — September 30, 1539 —

On September 30, 1539… Hernando de Soto’s army crossed into the land of the Apalachee. Its borders ran from southern Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Aucilla River to the waters of the Ochlockonee. A Complex Culture Part of . . . — — Map (db m126588) HM

26 ► Florida, Jefferson County, Monticello — 27 — Constant Attack — Florida De Soto Trail — October 3, 1539 —

It’s October 3, 1539… Hernando de Soto’s army has crossed a large swamp to the east of here and is attacked by Apalachee warriors – Our cavalry proved useless against this attack, as the trails are too narrow. We were forced to . . . — — Map (db m126590) HM

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27 ► Florida, Leon County, Tallahassee — 28 — Under Cover of Corn — Florida De Soto Trail — October 5, 1539 —

It’s October 5, 1539 Hernando de Soto’s army has reached the nearby village of Calahuchi - We passed through fertile lands covered in large fields of corn - maize. While we marched, Apalachee warriors moved through the . . . — — Map (db m126589) HM

28 ► Florida, Leon County, Tallahassee, Woodland Drives — 29a — His Dream Dies With Him — Florida De Soto Trail — October 6, 1539 —

It’s October 6, 1539… Hernando de Soto established his winter encampment here, at Anhayca, a principal Apalachee Village ”On Sunday, October 25, [De Soto] arrived at a town called Uzela, and on Monday, at Anhayca Apalachee . . . — — Map (db m126591) HM

29 ► Florida, Leon County, Tallahassee — 31 — Led by the Lure of Gold — Florida De Soto Trail — October 11, 1539 —

It’s October 11, 1539… Near here, Captain Juan Añasco of Hernando de Soto’s army has entered the Apalachee village of Aute - The village is deserted, but we have found a small supply of corn. My men captured several Indians. One is . . . — — Map (db m126592) HM

30 ► Florida, Wakulla County, Crawfordville — 30 — Supplies Are Low — Florida De Soto Trail — October 11, 1539 —

It’s October 11, 1539… Hernando de Soto and his army have stopped for the winter at the village of Anhayca, just north of here. Low on supplies, De Soto has dispatched his trusted Captain, Juan de Añasco… As we are desperate for . . . — — Map (db m126593) HM

31 ► Florida, Wakulla County, St. Marks — 32 — Telltale Bones — Florida De Soto Trail — October 16, 1539 —

It’s October 16, 1539… In searching this area for a usable harbor, Hernando de Soto’s captain Juan de Anasco has found evidence of Pánfilo de Narváez’ expedition of 1528… In an overgrown clearing, we have discovered many horse skulls and . . . — — Map (db m126594) HM

32 ► Florida, Escambia County, Pensacola — 33 — De Soto Trail / A Port with Promise —

(Left panel) De Soto Trail 1539-1540 You are standing along the historic route of the conquistador Hernando de Soto and his expedition through the Florida Native American territories in his quest for gold and glory. . . . — — Map (db m126595) HM

33 ► Florida, Leon County, Tallahassee — 34 — The Journey Ends — Florida De Soto Trail - The Legend Lives On — March 3, 1540 —

On March 3, 1540… Led by Hernando de Soto, the army departed these Apalachee lands to continue their expedition northward. They crossed the present-day Flint River and then traversed the Mississippi River several times – From here, . . . — — Map (db m126596) HM