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We’re only two years away from the 500th anniversary of the first landing of Europeans in Tampa Bay. The Spanish conquistador, Pánfilo de Narváez, and his crew landed at the Jungle Prada Site on April 14, 1528. When they found Old Tampa Bay the next day, they may have become the first Europeans to discover South Tampa.

But then their expedition failed so catastrophically, they wandered for eight years and accidentally became the first known humans— including the first African— to cross North America from coast to coast! Six hundred men set out, but only four survived. Thankfully one guy published their account in a book. In some cases, that is the only documentation of the original people, plants, and animals that existed before Europeans affected everything.

This sounds like a world record expedition we should have all learned about in history class, but even most native Floridians have never heard this story. I think it deserves to be told in a high quality, cinematic documentary, so I’ve been researching and filming it for years, as time and budget allows. My goal is to give this epic story the treatment it deserves before its 500th anniversary.

I’ve sought the best key lime pie all over Florida, and I’d never seen chocolate covered key lime pie offered anywhere outside of Key West— until I looked in the self-serve freezer at Strachan's Ice Cream & Desserts, right here in South Tampa! Chocolate covered key lime pie is one of those rare foods that blows away your taste buds because it’s a totally unique flavor profile, and it’s delicious. 😋

“Tampa” was probably a double mistake! The etymology is debated amongst historians, but the most likely explanation is…

Original Names: In 1539, Hernando de Soto landed in a bay on the west coast of Florida (arguably Tampa Bay) and named it “La Bahía de Espíritu Santo” (The Bay of the Holy Spirit). Many other early maps also labeled it as the “Bay of Tocobaga” after the native tribe in Safety Harbor.

Later, a Spanish shipwreck survivor named Escalante Fontaneda lived with the Calusa Indians south of us for seventeen years. In 1575, he wrote about one of their villages named "Tanpa" (with an “n”), believed to be in present-day Charlotte Harbor. This is the first and only surviving instance I can find of “Tanpa” in writing.

The Mistakes: It’s an honest mistake to see or hear “Tanpa” and misinterpret the “n” as an “m” to write “Tampa”. Early maps were copied by hand and featured varying amounts of bays on the west coast of Florida, so the “Tampa” label ended up on the wrong bay. People have been copying these two mistakes into every map since!

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In keeping with this week’s historical anniversary, you can visit the exact spot where the Spanish first landed here almost 500 years ago! It’s just a 30 min. drive over the Gandy Bridge to the Jungle Prada Site.

The tour includes a well-preserved Tocobaga shell mound, ancient artifacts, gardens, waterfront, video explainer, and a lot of wild peacocks! I went two years ago and enjoyed it. The adult grandson of the first landowner is often the tour guide and is a fountain of local histories I’ve never heard elsewhere— from Babe Ruth to ancient Indians. They also host events for meditation, reiki, and weddings. They run it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Sacred Lands Preservation and Education, so check it out.

Roundtrip time away from South Tampa: 2.5 hours

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Your Local Writer & Founder: Danielle is a lover of food, craft cocktails, wine, travel, nature, and history. After living in Ohio, Dallas, New Zealand, and 37 countries as a digital nomad, Danielle decided South Tampa was the best place to settle in 2022. She blends a world’s worth of experiences with local expertise as a Meetup event organizer and marketing director to ensure The Scroll is always worth your read!