DeSoto

DeSoto Falls is located in Lumpkin County, Georgia along Frogtown Creek. There are actually three waterfalls on Frogtown Creek, called Upper DeSoto Falls, Middle Desoto Falls and Lower DeSoto Falls. The upper waterfall drops 200 feet, the middle waterfall drops 90 feet and the lower waterfall drops 35 feet. The overall height of the falls, as measured inclusive of non-vertical falls, cascades and steep stream bed, is 480 feet. DeSoto Falls are located on 3,560-foot Rocky Mountain. DeSoto Falls is named for Spanish explorer Hernando deSoto, who passed through Georgia around 1540. According to a sign posted on the DeSoto Falls Trail, a 2.4-mile in and out hiking trail to the falls, a plate of armor was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s. Hernando deSoto led 600 Spanish soldiers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, and priests on a journey through Georgia and the southeast. The group was searching for gold and other means of wealth which they could claim for themselves and fellow Spaniards. Along the journey De Soto often took shelter with Native Americans. At the area of present-day Carter's Lake he visited a capital city of the Moundbuilders. The visit ended in a violent clash with the Indians. In Cartersville, De Soto visited the former settlement along the Etowah River, Etowah Indian Mounds. From there the Spaniard traveled down river to Ulibahali, an Indian village at the site of present day Rome, Georgia. Here De Soto arrested the town leaders, took hostages and slaves, and ransacked the granaries in August or September leaving nothing for the approaching winter. He left the state traveling west along the Coosa river. Franciscan priests established missions under Spanish control at Jekyll and St. Simon's islands in 1566.

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