The mission of De Soto National
Memorial is to commemorate Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who landed on the
southwest Florida coast in 1539. With an army of 600 soldiers, Soto had come to
the new world with a license from the King of Spain to explore, colonize and pacify
the Indians of the area known as "La Florida". The expedition faced many
hardships throughout the four-year, 4000-mile journey. Programs at the park explain
the prevailing 16th century Spanish cultural values and the inevitable clash with
the native cultures the expedition encountered. This expedition was the first large
scale European mission into the interior of North America. Survivors of the expedition
reported the abundance of rich natural resources found in "La Florida".
From late December to early April, Camp Ucita, a reproduction of the 16th Century
Indian village that the Soto expedition used as a base camp, is open. Park rangers
dressed in period costume give demonstrations of blacksmithing, cooking, armor repair
and military weapons of the period. Of special interest is the firing of a military
crossbow, and an Arquebus - a primitive black powder weapon that predates the flintlock.
The visitor center has a twenty one minute film entitled, "Hernando De Soto
in America", and is shown throughout the day. This film depicts the four year,
4000 mile journey of Soto and his men, throughout what is now the southeastern United
States. The visitor center offers museum exhibits that relate the story of the expedition
and its impacts upon Native Americans and Florida. Included are 16th century artifacts
such as armor, weapons, examples of Indian pottery, and projectile points. Detailed
maps trace the route of the expedition, highlighting significant incidents and features.
An outdoor exhibit on the north porch shows probable archaeological sites associated
with the four year trek.
