De Soto, Missouri
| De Soto, Missouri | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Location of De Soto, Missouri |
|
| Coordinates: 38°8′26″N 90°33′27″W / 38.14056°N 90.55750°WCoordinates: 38°8′26″N 90°33′27″W / 38.14056°N 90.55750°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Jefferson |
| Incorporated | 1869 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km2) |
| • Land | 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 503 ft (153 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 6,400 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 6,424 |
| • Density | 1,488.4/sq mi (574.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 63020 |
| Area code(s) | 636 314 |
| FIPS code | 29-19252 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0716761 |
De Soto is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,400 at the 2010 census and is part of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Van Metre family were first to settle in 1803. The town was organized in 1857 and is named for the explorer Hernando De Soto, who claimed the Louisiana Territory for Spain. De Soto was the city closest to the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. The city celebrated its Bicentennial in 2003. The city made national news on and after May 6, 2003, when straightline winds and a tornado struck.
De Soto was platted in 1857, and named after Hernando de Soto (c. 1496/1497–1542), Spanish conquistador. A post office has been in operation at De Soto since 1858.
The city is known as "Fountain City" because of the numerous artesian wells. Water from these wells and springs was bottled and shipped by tank car to the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis.
The Central School Campus and Louis J. and Harriet Rozier House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
On 12/21/1967, a category F4 tornado 16.8 miles away from the city center killed 3 people and injured 52 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
On 6/22/1969, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 13.5 miles away from the De Soto city center killed 2 people and injured 22 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
On 4/22/1981, a tornado destroyed the Joachim Savings & Loan, the offices of the Republic and Press newspaper, and a tire store. One person was killed in the Savings & Loan.
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