In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States.
De Soto Monument
Reenactor Bill Boston on his horse Dixie in front of the De Soto Monument.
De Soto and the Junior Ranger
De Soto Tim Burke greets on of the parks Junior Rangers
Sunset at De Soto
The Sunsets on another day at De Soto NM
