Fate of Fort San Juan: Fort San Juan was not a precursor to a long-term Spanish settlement. Debated route: While this route is the consensus among many historians, the exact path of the de Soto expedition is still debated. What evidence locates Guaquili near Hickory? Pardo’s records also reference towns and routes that, when mapped, are consistent with the location of Guaquili being near Hickory, and Joara being further west. In fact, Pardo’s men built a fort, Fort San Juan, near Joara.