De Soto In Georgia-GHM-057-16-Floyd Co.
Posted by: 
Sprinterman
N 34° 15.708 W 085° 09.980
16S E 668824 N 3792705
Located at the Visitors Center Off US 27 in Rome.
Waymark Code: WM482P
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 07/20/2008
Views: 17
In May 1539 Hernando de Soto landed in Florida with over 600 people, 220 horses and mules, and a herd of swine reserved for famine. Fired by his success in Pizarro's conquest of Peru. De Soto had been granted the rights, by the King of Spain, to explore, then govern, southeastern North America.
After wintering in Tallahassee, the De Soto expedition set out on a quest for the gold which eventually spanned four years and crossed portions of nine states. This was the first recorded European exploration of the interior of the Southeast. Over 300 members died on the expedition, including De Soto in 1542. This tremendous effort forever changed the lives of the Indians who were infected with old world diseases, killed in battle, enslaved, made destitute and sometimes befriended.
Many scholars believe that De Soto visited this general area on August 31, 1540. He visited several towns on a large river, probably the Coosa, traveling westward and left Georgia about September 5, 1540.
Type of Marker: Highway
Marker #: 057-16
Date: 1990
Sponsor: Georgia Historic Marker
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Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, yourself at the marker, your gps at the marker, or anything specific to the text on the marker. And don't forget to enjoy your visit.