Native Americans inhabited the Tallahassee area, as they did much of Florida, for more than 12,000 years. This area, then known as “Anhaica”, was the principle village of the Apalachee Indians. Evidence of this ancient culture can be found today at many locations throughout the Tallahassee region, including:
Desoto Encampment
1022 De Soto Park Dr
Tallahassee, FL 32301
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Phone: (850) 922-6007
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Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto arrived in “Anhaica”, an Apalachee Indian Village near today’s downtown Tallahassee and his men spent the winter of 1539-40 here This is the only confirmed site of De Soto in North America. A historic marker and kiosk display mark the site behind the current office complex but artifacts from the encampment are preserved at the Museum of Florida History.
Lake Jackson Mounds State Archaeological Site
3600 Indian Mounds Rd.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
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Phone: (850) 922-6007
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Dating to AD 1200-1500, Native Americans inhabited the area around Lake Jackson, just north of Tallahassee. The park site was part of what is now known as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex. Today, it encompasses six earthen temple mounds and one possible burial mound. The largest mound is 278 feet by 312 feet at the base and approximately 36 feet in height. Artifacts of pre-Columbian societies have been found here including copper breastplates, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and cloaks.
Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park
4500 Sunray Rd.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
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Phone: (850) 922-6007
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Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park is one of the state’s most significant Native American ceremonial sites, featuring Florida’s tallest Native American ceremonial mound - 46 feet tall. The people who built the mound are believed to have been members of the Weedon Island Culture, a group of Native Americans who lived in North Florida between 200 and 800 A.D.
Mission San Luis
2100 West Tennessee St.
Tallahassee, FL 32304
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Phone: (850) 245-6406
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Mission San Luis de Apalache, also known as San Luis de Talimali, was the western anchor of the mission system stretching from the Apalachicola River to St. Augustine in the 1600s. On-going excavations have uncovered the Spanish fort, religious complex, council house and several homes. All of these structures, including the largest known Indian Council House in the Southeast, have been meticulously reconstructed. Mission San Luis includes a magnificent new Visitor Center.
Museum of Florida History
500 S. Bronough St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
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Phone: (850) 245-6400
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For a real overview of the history of the Tallahassee region, the Museum of Florida History chronicles early Florida through more than 40,000 artifacts and permanent exhibits spanning from the prehistoric mastodon to Florida’s paleo-Indians, to the Spanish arrival, exploration and settlement and up to Florida’s industrial development
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
148 Old Fort Rd.
St. Marks, FL 32355
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Phone: (850) 922-6007
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About a half-hour south of Tallahassee, two Spanish colonial forts were built at this location from the late 1600s to 1718. Andrew Jackson occupied the fort for a brief time in the early 1800s. The museum at the park displays local Native American pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort and explains the colorful history of the National Landmark site.
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
6800 Mahan Dr
Tallahassee, FL 32308
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Phone: (850) 942-0137
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Features more than 130 rare automobiles including an 1894 Duryea, 1931 Duesenberg, the Tucker and Batmobiles. Other collections include Native American artifacts, antique boat motors, sports memorabilia, motorcycles and pedal cars.
