Spanish conquistador Hernando DeSoto and his men spent the winter of 1539-40 at an Apalachee Indian village near today's downtown Tallahassee (1022 DeSoto Park Dr.; 850-922-6007), the only confirmed DeSoto site in North America. Artifacts are preserved at the Museum of Florida History (500 S. Bronough St.; 850-488-1488).

Over the next two centuries, Spanish settlers worked cattle ranches and farms built around more than 100 Franciscan mission towns that stretched eastward from the Apalachicola River to St. Augustine. British raiders and their Indian allies ended Spain's settlements in the early 1700s.

Mission San Luis de Apalache (2020 Mission Rd.; 850-487-3711), also known as San Luis de Talimali, was the western anchor of the mission system. Ongoing excavations have uncovered the Spanish fort, religious complex, council house and several homes. The church, Indian chief's house and the Indian council house - the largest known in the South - have been spectacularly reconstructed, with more underway. Special reenactment programs throughout the year bring it all back to life.

About a half-hour south from Tallahassee on SR 363 to St. Marks, San Marcos de Apalache State Historic Site (148 Old Fort Rd.; 850-925-6216) marks the location of two Spanish colonial forts, dating from the late 1600's to 1718. The forts' stones were recycled to build St. Marks Lighthouse and a mariner's hospital. A small cemetery holds the remains of American soldiers who die in an early 19th century fever epidemic. Self-guided tour brochures available.

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