De Soto National Memorial

Bradenton, Florida: On a tiny stretch of land where the Tampa Bay meets the Manatee River sits a National Memorial dedicated to the Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto and his expedition for riches in La Florida. De Soto National Memorial is a 25 acre park that helps tell the story of De Soto and his landing here on what is today referred to as De Soto Point.

In May of 1539, De Soto and his crew of over 600 soldiers sailed their nine ships into the mouth of Tampa Bay. The arrived in the new world to settle a colony for Spain and look for the riches the new world had to offer. When they arrived, their ship was loaded with 200 horses, pigs and dogs to help conquer the Indian tribes.

De Soto left a crew of 100 to set up a colony here on the point while the rest of his party ventured further inland in search of gold and other riches. The journey would eventually take them over 4,000 miles thorough the Southeastern United States. The journey was rough, fighting with the Indians every step of the way and no riches were found. Three years after landing in Bradenton, De Soto died from a fever and the remaining members of his crew returned to Spain.

Today the National Memorial stands in honor of the starting point of this journey. Although no riches were discovered, the expedition brought back a great deal of knowledge of the Indians and the new world which would help other settler in later forming colonies.

The park has a visitor’s center that has interpretive displays and a video to tell the history of the De Soto expeditions. There is also a nature trail that follows that leads you to De Soto Point and passes the ruins of a Tabby House. Finally the park features a replica Spanish settlement camp where actors help reenact life in the camp.

The park has several special reenactment events throughout the year with the biggest one on May 30 to commemorate De Soto’s landing in Florida.

Click on the photo above for pictures from our visit to De Soto National Memorial.