The native Timucuans, Calusa and Apalachee dwelled idyllically, perhaps for centuries, in the lands by this harbor, dining on abundant fish in the surrounding waters. That was before civilization arrived in the persona of a one-eyed, red-headed and rather arrogant conquistador with a 400-man army, slaves, five ships and 40 horses. Panfilo de Narvaez landed on Good Friday, April 15, 1528, at Cacique Ucita, a Timucuan village, at the head of Clearwater Bay, according to some historians.

Narvaez, recently splintered from his plundering with Cortez in Mexico, terrorized the indigenous residents while exploring for gold. He sent his ships back to Cuba to obtain provisions, left 100 men to construct a fort at Tampa Bay, and ventured northward with the rest of his forces, up the Pinellas peninsula and then along the forested shores.

According to some accounts, Narvaez made it as far as Alabama in his quest for gold. With their supplies running out, Narvaez and his men built crude boats and attempted to sail to Mexico. Most perished in a Gulf hurricane; those who reached shore faced starvation or capture by Indians.

Four of the group survived and miraculously were able to return to Mexico-six years later, traveling by foot across what is now Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

In 1539, Hernando de Soto organized another expedition to Florida. Juan Ortiz, one of Narvaez' men who had been left behind near Tampa Bay, joined de Soto, bringing his knowledge of the Timucuan language.

The de Soto national Memorial on Tampa Bay, roughly five miles west of Bradenton, commemorates de Soto's May 25, 1539 landing and the start of his trail.

The de Soto expedition, nearly 1,000 strong, headed north and west in quest of gold. They marched some 6,000 miles, with scouts going as far north as Tennessee. De Soto and most of his men died near the Mississippi River, afflicted by fever and fatigued from their fruitless search. Survivors built rafts and floated down the Mississippi, returning to Mexico in 1543 by hugging the shore of the Gulf.