Search

Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors take on the Island Privateers in the annual De Soto Celebration battle for Bradenton Beach.

Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors take on the Island Privateers in the annual De Soto Celebration battle for Bradenton Beach.

Hernando De Soto hands out the awards at the annual De Soto Celebration Band Contest at Hawkins Stadium.

The Conquistadors of Hernado De Soto lead the parade float the San Cristobal during the De Soto Celebration's annual band contest at Hawkins Stadium.

Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors try to capture Holmes Beach from the Anna Maria Island Privateers.

Hernado De Soto and crew attempt the annual capture of Cortez Plaza.

Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors take on the Island Privateers in the annual De Soto Celebration battle for Bradenton Beach.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers bring their own jail to the battle with Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors during the annual De Soto Celebration.

Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors try to capture Holmes Beach from the Anna Maria Island Privateers. The Privateers bring a traveling jail to the event.

Hernado De Soto and crew attempt the annual capture of Cortez Plaza. The Crew brings in the artillery.

Deputy Ken Reese poses with his motorcycle, after he ws made a 'Conquistador' at the 1977 De Soto Celebration. The proclamation is seen leaning on the front wheel of his motorcycle.

Actors at the Asolo Theatre reherse the play Volpone.

Knighting ceremony of DeSoto's Conquistadors.

The horses have landed and De Soto and his Conquistadors prepare to explore Florida.

An Army Jeep from the Palmetto unit of the Florida National Guard helps defend the city from the annual invasion of Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors.

Palmetto's K-9 corps of dogs and police officers try to defend their city from the annual incursion of Hernando De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors.

The Palmetto unit of the Florida National Guard and the Palmetto Police use an Army Jeep and a Pioneer covered wagon to defend the city against the annual invasion of Hernando De Soto and his crew.

Palmetto mayor Gordan Alderman, Police Chief nd the Commander of the Palmetto unit of the Florida National Guard all fall into the hands of De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors during the annual capture of the city.

De Soto Celebration headquarters, at 809 14th Street West, seen here with automobiles and Conquistadors in costume with swords.

De Soto and his crew of Conquistadors make short shrift of the Anna Maria Island Privateers during the annual capture of the island for the De Soto Celebration.

De Soto Celebration headquarters, at 809 14th Street West, seen here with automobiles and Conquistadors in costume with swords.

Florida Governor Reuben O. Askew and Hernando De Soto arrive at the annual De Soto Ball under the crossed swords of the Crew of Conquistadors.

Palmetto's National Guard unit join the Police in meeting the annual invasion of Hernando De Soto and the Conquistadors.

Palmetto mayor Gordan Alderman, Police Chief and Commander of the Palmetto Army National Guard unit all fall into the hands of De Soto and his Crew of Conquistadors during the annual capture of the city.

People dance while De Soto and Conquistadors keep things in order at the annual De Soto Masked Ball.

De Soto and his crew of Conquistadors take the Manatee County Courthouse away from Sheriff Weitzenfeld and the County Commissioners.

William A. Vanderipe poses in the school door in uniform, with chevrons and diamonds on his sleeves. A sword-belt crosses his chest holding his sword and scabbard.

A Reconstructed bedroom in the Gamble Mansion. The room has a canopy bed and window draperies while a sword hangs over the fireplace.

A. Kleinoscheg, Junior, the ancestor for whom A.K. "Klein" Whitaker was named, when he was a cadet of the Austrian Naval Academy in Pola Austria. The lower image is his dress sword from the Academy.