The Hernando de Soto expedition (1539–1543) most likely passed through the upper Tennessee Valley en route to the Coosa chiefdom in northern Georgia.
 The expedition, seeking a passage to the Pacific Ocean, landed at Florida in May 1539 and marched northward through what is now Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina before crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains via the Nolichucky River into the Tennessee Valley.
 After spending several weeks at Chiaha (near modern Douglas Dam), the expedition followed the French Broad River and Tennessee River to the village of Coste, which was on Bussell Island at the mouth of the Little Tennessee River.
 On July 9, 1540, the expedition left Coste and followed the east bank of the Little Tennessee to the village of Tali, situated on the west bank of the river at what is now the Toqua site.
The expedition's chroniclers noted that the river at this point was too deep to ford.
 The sight of the Spaniards nevertheless created a general panic in Tali, and the villagers attempted to flee downstream in canoes.
 De Soto apparently deployed his soldiers and forced the Talians to return.
 The chief of Tali gave the expedition four women and two porters, and the expedition departed southward the following day.
 The chief of Tali continued to send rations of sofkee (a gruel similar to hominy grits) and other food until the expedition reached Coosa on July 16.
The Hernando de Soto expedition (1539–1543) most likely passed through the upper Tennessee Valley en route to the Coosa chiefdom in northern Georgia.  The expedition, seeking a passage to the Pacific Ocean, landed at Florida in May 1539 and marched northward through what is now Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina before crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains via the Nolichucky River into the Tennessee Valley.  After spending several weeks at Chiaha (near modern Douglas Dam), the expedition followed the French Broad River and Tennessee River to the village of Coste, which was on Bussell Island at the mouth of the Little Tennessee River.  On July 9, 1540, the expedition left Coste and followed the east bank of the Little Tennessee to the village of Tali, situated on the west bank of the river at what is now the Toqua site. The expedition's chroniclers noted that the river at this point was too deep to ford.  The sight of the Spaniards nevertheless created a general panic in Tali, and the villagers attempted to flee downstream in canoes.  De Soto apparently deployed his soldiers and forced the Talians to return.  The chief of Tali gave the expedition four women and two porters, and the expedition departed southward the following day.  The chief of Tali continued to send rations of sofkee (a gruel similar to hominy grits) and other food until the expedition reached Coosa on July 16.
Toqua (Tennessee)