History
The Founding of De Soto
Located in northwestern Johnson County along the south bank of the Kansas River, the town began as part of a larger territory that had long been home to Native American tribes, particularly the Osage and later the Shawnee. After the Treaty of St. Louis in 1825, the Shawnee were relocated to what is now Kansas, settling along the Kansas River in the area that would become De Soto.
As westward expansion increased, settlers arrived in the Kansas Territory, and tensions grew between pro-slavery and Free-State advocates. The city of De Soto was formally platted in 1857, named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. A town company was formed that year, with B.W. Woodward, James F. Ligate, James Findley, and G.W. Hutchinson leading its establishment.
The town’s first commercial building was a general store occupied by Zera Nichols in 1857, and soon after, Stratton & Williams built a sawmill along the Kansas River. Other key land transactions followed:
- 1858: Shawnee landowners John and Hattie Possum sold 80 acres to John F. Ligate, S. Todd, and Stratton & Williams for $1,200.
- 1861: The De Soto Town Company purchased an additional 80 acres for $1,176.
De Soto’s Growth in the Late 19th Century
By the 1860s, De Soto was developing into a small but structured community:
- 1863: The post office from nearby Lexington was relocated to De Soto.
- 1866: The Methodist Church was built for $2,500.
- 1860s-1870s: The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad was built through De Soto, boosting commerce and connectivity.
- 1879: The Presbyterian Church and a two-story flour mill were constructed.
One of De Soto’s most notable early residents was Major James B. Abbott, a Free-State advocate and town leader. He was involved in conflicts during the Bleeding Kansas era, including the Battle of Black Jack, and participated in the rescues of John Doy and Jacob Branson. James Abbott built Abbott Hall, which still stands today.
On October 1, 1897, De Soto was officially incorporated as a city.
A Small but Thriving Town (1897–1940)
In 1910, De Soto’s population was 240, but the town had a well-established economy with general stores, a hardware and implement house, a lumberyard, a money order office, telegraph and express services, and a strong public school system.
By 1912, the De Soto Eagle Eye newspaper had begun publication. The town continued to grow modestly, gaining a city light plant, a grain elevator, and a bank by 1915.
De Soto’s population reached 383 by 1940, but the biggest transformation was yet to come.
World War II and the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant
In 1942, the Sunflower Ordnance Works (later known as the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant) was built just south of De Soto. The 9,080-acre plant was a major producer of gunpowder and other military supplies during World War II. The town saw an unprecedented population boom as thousands of workers arrived seeking jobs.
With a severe housing shortage, residents rented out spare rooms, garages, and even chicken coops. Sunflower Village was built in 1943 to accommodate workers, with 853 dwellings initially constructed, followed by 580 more units in 1945. At its peak, 6,000 workers lived in Sunflower Village.
A Kansas City Star article in May 1943 described De Soto as "a town rapidly growing, with a population increase from 400 to 1,000 persons in under a year."
The 1951 Flood
Like much of northeastern Kansas, De Soto suffered significant damage in the Great Flood of 1951. Heavy rains in mid-July caused the Kansas River to crest at 42.3 feet, the highest recorded level. Much of the downtown area was submerged, with over four feet of standing water in some places.
Post-War Development and Clearview City
Following the war, Sunflower Village transitioned from government ownership:
- 1955: The housing units were sold to private buyers.
- 1961: The homes were renamed Clearview City.
- 1998: De Soto annexed Clearview City, adding 339 residents.
Meanwhile, the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant went on standby multiple times before its final closure in 1993.
Modern Growth and Expansion
De Soto continued to grow gradually through the 20th century:
- 1960 Population: 1,271
- 1990 Population: 2,291
- 2000 Population: 4,561
- 2020 Population: 6,118
- Current Population (2023 est.): 6,539
Significant commercial development along the K-10 Business District helped fuel expansion, and numerous homes were built.
From its early days as a settlement to its boom during World War II, De Soto has undergone dramatic transformations. The city has endured economic shifts, natural disasters, and industrial changes, all while maintaining its strong community spirit. Today, De Soto honors its rich history while looking ahead to a bright future, continuing to grow and adapt as a modern, thriving city.