Mission San Luis

This first picture is of the modern Apalachee chief Gilmer Bennett (center, in the white shirt) with his family. They are the descendants of the Apalachee who once lived at Mission San Luis. The name "Apalachee" is thought to come from either the Hitchiti language (a neighboring indigenous group) and  means "people from the other side" or it could be a cognate of 'apelachi' from the Choctaw language which means "helper." The Apalachee language is extinct but fragments remain.

Mission San Luis in present-day Tallahassee, Florida is the reconstructed site of an actual, historic community that was established in 1656 and was eventually destroyed by its own inhabitants in 1704. Today the mission is a "living history museum" that incorporates an exhibit with reconstructed buildings and "interpreters" or historical actors portraying the roles of people who once lived here.  For nearly five decades, indigenous Apalachee lived side-by-side with adventive Spaniards, creating a community where two cultures formed a unique cultural space. When the Spaniards started arriving in the "New World" during the 16th century, "la Florida" was one of the first places they arrived. In 1528, Panfilo de Narvaez landed in what is today Tampa and made his way up to Apalachee territory (present-day Tallahassee). But Narvaez was met with much resistance by the fierce Apalachee. 11 years later, Hernando de Soto spent the winter from October of 1539 to March of 1540 in Apalachee territory but again, the Apalachee did not want invading Spaniards to occupy their ancestral lands. However, beginning in the late 16th century, because of drought and a faltering faith in their autochthonous gods, the Apalachee leaders started petitioning the friars who lived in St. Augustine (established in 1565) to come to Apalachee territory and establish their church. From 1633-35, the Franciscan friars baptized more than 5,000 Apalachee and in 1656, Mission San Luis was created. In 1704, due to imminent invasions from the north by the British and their Creek allies, the Apalachee and Spaniards living at Mission San Luis burned everything in the community and fled. Some of the Apalachee assimilated into neighboring tribes while others went first to Mobile, Alabama and then onwards to Louisiana where the Talimali Band of Apalachee came out of hiding in 1996 by petitioning the United States federal government for recognition as an indigenous tribe. They are still awaiting an answer along with hundreds of other indigenous groups. Since 1978, only 57 of 302 petitions have been determined. The Apalachee are relegated somewhat to the past at Mission San Luis, but when the state of Florida purchased the central 50 acres of this land in 1983, no one even knew that the Apalachee people had continued to exist, which makes Mission San Luis an even more important place. Today there are an estimated 250-300 Apalachee people descended from the Apalachee who once lived here at Mission San Luis. I cannot believe it took me a year to find out about this place.

Many of the excavated objects at Mission San Luis were made there. However, it appears that because Mission San Luis was an important religious and political center during the 17th century, it was also a center for trade. Objects such as ceramics were imported from Mexico and Mission San Luis therefore became involved in a network of commerce, exchange, and interaction that extended into Mexico and the Caribbean. I just think that it's so cool to be here at Mission San Luis and look at all of these objects that were created by human beings, Apalachee and Spaniards alike, who lived here side-by-side, forming a unique community that was brought together because of religious and economic reasons. These objects are representative of those that were used by the 1500 people who lived here; basketweaving was an Apalachee tradition that antedated European contact.

Here is a picture of the Franciscan Church that was built at Mission San Luis (every single building is, of course, a reconstruction). I have also included pictures of the Apalachee Council House where religious, political, and social events took place. Before the ball game, for example, the Apalachee involved in the game would gather in the Council House and prepare for the game (just like they would do before going into battle; in fact, the ball game and its competitive elements replaced war when the Apalachee experienced times of peace). Over three centuries ago, the Apalachee Chief or "Holata" (pronounced O-lah-ta) lived in his own house adjacent to the Council House but Mission San Luis has not yet reconstructed the Holata's house. I also wanted to include a picture of one of the many bilingual signs at Mission San Luis in order to demonstrate that English and Spanish are used. Unfortunately, the Apalachee language became extinct by the end of the 18th century and there is scant information regarding Apalachee as a language. Sun is "Nico," Moon is "Hitoc," Water is "Oc," to see is "Picha," man is "Husti," and woman is "Tacaiali." These are not all of the Apalachee words that we know but I wanted to include a few of the words that I learned in my research.

Here are some pictures of the fort (the white building in the background) at Mission San Luis, the garden, and the friary. It is quite an interesting place for anyone fascinated by history, particularly "living history museums." I was happy to write the final paper in my Cultural Heritage class on Mission San Luis because I learned a lot about the history of Tallahassee, the people who once inhabited this territory, and the fusion of two cultures that lived side by side. Mission San Luis is thought to be an apartment complex by many residents of Tallahassee, which is a shame. For about fifty years, indigenous Apalachee and foreign Spaniards lived side-by-side here at the mission, creating a hybrid culture that is fascinating. Hopefully someday soon, the Apalachee people will be recognized by our government (which, of course, did not exist when the Apalachee lived in "la Florida"). Anyone who comes to Tallahassee should spend some time at Mission San Luis, if only to spend an afternoon learning about this historic site. It's a fascinating place!!