Grave of one of DeSoto's soldiers? - Van Buren, Arkansas

One of the most unexpected historic sites in the South can be found in the old section of Fairview Cemetery in Van Buren, Arkansas.

It is called the Mystery Grave and local legend holds that is the burial site of one of the men who explored Arkansas with Hernando de Soto and his expedition of Spanish conquistadors in 1541. The origin of the story is not known, but it probably has much to do with the eroded appearance of the stone slabs from which the grave is made and various theories that DeSoto might have made it as far up the Arkansas River as Van Buren during his travels west of the Mississippi.

Another more recent theory is that the Mystery Grave is actually the burial place of a Viking explorer. This unusual theory revolves around claims that Vikings actually lived in Oklahoma more than 1,000 years ago and left such markers as the Heavener Runestone. Self-taught Viking researcher Gloria Farley believed that strange carvings on the Mystery Grave were actually inscriptions left by ancient, unrecorded explorers.

There are markings on the grave, but it appears more likely they are Masonic symbols which provide a probably clue as to the true origin of the unique historic site. So what is the real story of the Myster Grave? Please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/mysterygrave for a possible answer.

Hernando de Soto's Winter Camp in Tallahassee, Florida

Hernando de Soto's route through the South is one of the most debated mysteries in American history.

Although numerous theories have been presented and it is believed that De Soto and his army visited ten or more states, so far only one site has been found by archaeologists at which he presence can be positively verified. It is the Hernando de Soto Winter Encampment Site in Tallahassee, Florida.

Now a small state park just a few blocks from Florida's Capitol Complex, the De Soto site was uncovered by state archaeologist B. Calvin Jones (now deceased) entirely by accident. He was looking for traces of a known Spanish mission in the vicinity at a construction site when he began to find strange artifacts. They turned out to be items dating from Hernando de Soto's sojourn at the site during the winter of 1539-1540. Included among the artifacts were pieces of chain mail armor, darts from crossbows, coins and even pig bones (De Soto introduced pigs to the Southeast).

To learn more about this unique historic site in Tallahasee, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fldesoto1.

DeSoto State Park in Alabama

We are kicking off the New Year with the addition of a number of new pages to www.exploresouthernhistory.com.

The first new pages to come online can be seen in our revamped section on DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne, Alabama. This beautiful and historic park is located atop Lookout Mountain. Noted for its magnificent views of the west fork of Little River and its numerous waterfalls - including the 100-foot tall DeSoto Falls (seen here) - DeSoto State Park is one of the finest state park facilities in the state.

In addition to its natural attractions, cabins, motel, restaurant and more, the park is rich in history. Legend holds that the Welsh explorer Prince Madoc and his men built a fort at DeSoto Falls as early as 1170 A.D. and the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed nearby in 1541.

To learn more, please visit our new DeSoto State Park and DeSoto Falls pages at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/desotopark1.