The Beginnings - Freedom Magazine Presents The History of Clearwater Part I

Four of the group survived and miraculously were able to return to Mexico—six years later, traveling by foot across what is now Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

In 1539, Hernando de Soto organized another expedition to Florida. Juan Ortiz, one of Narvaez’ men who had been left behind near Tampa Bay, joined de Soto, bringing his knowledge of the Timucuan language.

The de Soto national Memorial on Tampa Bay, roughly five miles west of Bradenton, commemorates de Soto’s May 25, 1539 landing and the start of his trail.

The de Soto expedition, nearly 1,000 strong, headed north and west in quest of gold. They marched some 6,000 miles, with scouts going as far north as Tennessee. De Soto and most of his men died near the Mississippi River, afflicted by fever and fatigued from their fruitless search. Survivors built rafts and floated down the Mississippi, returning to Mexico in 1543 by hugging the shore of the Gulf.