Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

Conquistador..........,

Photographed By AGS Media, July 31, 2010

1. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Marker

Inscription.
Treasurer of the ill-fated Panfilo de Narvez expedition, was first to write of the discovery of Tampa Bay, April 17, 1528, calling it "Bahia de la Cruz, the best harbor in the world."

After the disastrous trek through Florida the remaining explorers took to the sea in 5 crude boats and vanished. Only Cabeza de Vaca and 3 companions survived. The castaways wandered for 8 years from Tampa Bay to Mexico. Cabeza de Vaca in his "Narrative" had cast a new light on "el Nuevo Mundo."

Erected 1985 by The Columbia Restaurant; with the cooperation of The Tampa Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1963.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 27° 56.353′ N, 82° 27.282′ W. Marker was in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker was on South Harbour Island Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on Tampa's Harbour Island, at the Knight's Point complex, overlooking the waterfront where the Hillsborough River Channel and the Garrison Channel meet. The marker is on the terrace in front of the Jackson's Bistro restaurant. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Tampa FL 33602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Royal Yacht Britannia (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Fort Brooke (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gordon Keller (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Mirabella Fish Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jose Gasparilla (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bayshore Boulevard (approx. 0.3 miles away); World's First Scheduled Commercial Airline (approx. 0.3 miles away); Florida's First Catholic Martyrs (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

More about this marker. The marker is capped with the seal of the Tampa Historical Society.

Regarding Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. The Pánfilo de Narváez expedition to Tampa Bay was the first European expedition into what would become the United States. The expedition and Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca's story are told in the film Winds of Change at the Tampa Bay History Center, on the opposite end and side of the Garrison Channel from the historical marker.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Additional keywords. Harbour Island; Álvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca; Pánfilo de Narváez;

Photographed By AGS Media, July 31, 2010

2. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Marker

Overlooking the Tampa Convention Center and downtown Tampa

Photographed By AGS Media, July 31, 2010

3. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Marker

Overlooking the entrance to the Garrison Channel and the Harbour Island Bridge.

Jackson's Bistro at Knight's Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed By AGS Media, July 31, 2010

4. Jackson's Bistro at Knight's Point

Seen here from across the Hillsborough River Channel, the historical marker is in the center.

Photographed By AGS Media, July 31, 2010

5. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Marker

Outside Jackson's Bistro (formerly the site of the Columbia Restaurant's Harbour Island location).

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Marker (missing) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, February 11, 2023

6. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Marker (missing)

Pole can been seen through railing next to Jackson's Bistro.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,543 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 6. submitted on February 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.