City Hall Building

Early Years as a School

• 1918 – De Soto Rural High School District was established; Governor Arthur Capper laid the cornerstone.
• 1919 – The school opened with a gym, auditorium, and 10 classrooms and was completed at a cost of $60,000. The first class (of four people) graduated that May.
• 1945 – Construction began on an east addition due to population growth from the Sunflower Ordnance Works, but it was halted following the end of World War II.
• 1952 – The east addition was completed -- housing woodworking, metal shop, and commerce classrooms -- at a cost of $70,000 (paid for by the federal government).
• 1955 – A new gymnasium on the west side of the building was added, seating 1,000 people, along with locker rooms, a stage, and classrooms. It was the only school building project built without federal aid, with a cost of approximately $295,000.
• 1955 (Summer) – The entire central part of the original 1918 building was revamped.  The original gym was divided horizontally, creating a library in the upper portion and a civil defense shelter below.  The auditorium was converted to classrooms and entered from the top floor via doors that had previously accessed the balcony; this area now serves as City Council Chambers. The main floor was remodeled creating locker space, restrooms, and classrooms.  Federal Aid once again paid $32,000 of the $45,000 expansion costs.  
• 1967 – The cafeteria was added to the south of the main building, which now serves as the De Soto Senior Center and a public meeting space.
• 1968 – The building transitioned from a high school to a junior high (7th-9th grade).
• 1972 – Peak enrollment reached 520 students.
• 1980 – The former school bus parking garage on the northwest corner of the building was converted into vocal and instrumental music rooms. The space now houses the De Soto Chamber of Commerce.