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Do not fill this in! {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = De Soto, Missouri | settlement_type = [[City]] | image_skyline = De Soto, Missouri.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = | image_flag = | image_seal = <!-- Maps --> | nickname = | motto = <!-- Images --> | image_map = Jefferson_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_De_Soto_Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250x200px | map_caption = Location of De Soto, Missouri | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = <!-- Location --> | coordinates = {{coord|38|08|28|N|90|33|39|W|region:US-MO|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Missouri]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Jefferson County, Missouri|Jefferson]] | established_title = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] | established_date = 1869 <!-- Area --> | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 11.35 | area_total_sq_mi = 4.38 | area_land_km2 = 11.35 | area_land_sq_mi = 4.38 | area_water_km2 = 0.00 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 <!-- Population -->| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 545 | population_total = 6449 | population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = 568.10 | population_density_sq_mi = 1471.37 <!-- General information -->| population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] | postal_code = 63020 | area_code = [[Area code 636|636]] | website = {{URL|https://desotomo.com/|City website}} | footnotes = | timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]] | utc_offset = -6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = -5 | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 29-19252<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 2394475<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394475}}</ref> | pop_est_footnotes = }} '''De Soto''' is a city in [[Jefferson County, Missouri|Jefferson County]], [[Missouri]], United States. The population was 6,449 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]] and the city 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 (explorer)|Hernando De Soto]], who claimed the [[Louisiana Territory]] for [[Spain]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n77 180]}}</ref> 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 straight-line winds and a tornado struck. ==History== De Soto was [[plat]]ted in 1857 and named after [[Hernando de Soto]] (c. 1496/1497β1542), Spanish conquistador.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_jefferson.html |title=Jefferson County Place Names, 1928β1945 (archived) |publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri |access-date=19 October 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624071321/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_jefferson.html |archive-date=24 June 2016 }}</ref> A post office has been in operation at De Soto since 1858.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=Jefferson |title=Post Offices |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History |access-date=19 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019143136/http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=Jefferson |archive-date=19 October 2016 }}</ref> The city is known as "Fountain City" because of its numerous [[Artesian aquifer|artesian wells]]. Water from these wells and springs were bottled and shipped by tank car to the [[Louisiana Purchase Exposition|1904 World Fair]] in St. Louis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desotomo.com/desoto_history.htm |title=De Soto History |access-date=2010-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329233426/http://www.desotomo.com/desoto_history.htm |archive-date=2010-03-29 }}</ref> The [[Central School Campus]] and [[Louis J. and Harriet Rozier House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> ===Tornado activity=== On December 21, 1967, an F4 tornado 16.8 miles away from the city center killed three people, injured 52 people, and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.<ref name="city-data.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/De-Soto-Missouri.html|title=De Soto, Missouri (MO 63020) profile: Population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders}}</ref> On June 22, 1969, an F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 13.5 miles away from the De Soto city center killed two people and injured 22 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.<ref name="city-data.com"/> On April 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19810423&id=_LVPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=V1IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4368,2023484|title=The Bryan Times - Google News Archive Search}}</ref> On [[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2003|May 6, 2003]], at approximately 3:45 pm, a tornado outbreak began in [[Kansas]], [[Missouri]], and [[Tennessee]]. At 5:14pm, a tornado touched down two miles northwest of De Soto. Fourteen minutes later, the tornado sirens went off in [[Jefferson County, Missouri|Jefferson County]]. The tornado hit De Soto at F3 intensity, causing $12,800,000 in damage. The tornado destroyed the junior high gymnasium, caused significant damage to the high school and Vineland Elementary, destroyed 58 houses and a local grocery store. It injured 23 and killed nine inside De Soto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WEATHER/05/06/tornadoes/ |title=Tornado strikes eastern Missouri town - May. 6, 2003 |publisher=CNN.com |date= |accessdate=2022-06-10}}</ref> == Local Attractions == * Melba Theater * De Soto Public Library * Spross Park * Walther's Park * Richter Park ==Geography== The community is located along [[Joachim Creek]] in southwest Jefferson County. [[Missouri Route 21]] passes just west to the west and [[Missouri Route 110 (Jefferson County)|Missouri Route 110]] connects to [[US Route 67]] approximately three miles east of the town.<ref>''Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer,'' DeLorme 1st ed. 1998, p. 48 {{isbn|0899332242}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.30|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref> ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 1989 |1890= 3960 |1900= 5611 |1910= 4721 |1920= 5003 |1930= 5069 |1940= 5121 |1950= 5357 |1960= 5804 |1970= 5984 |1980= 5993 |1990= 5993 |2000= 6375 |2010= 6400 |2020= 6449 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> }} ===2010 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 6,400 people, 2,629 households, and 1,633 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1488.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,927 housing units at an average density of {{convert|680.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.8% of the population. There were 2,629 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female. ===2000 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 6,375 people, 2,544 households, and 1,656 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,673.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,741 housing units at an average density of {{convert|719.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.71% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.71% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.31% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.19% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.27% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.80% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.02% of the population. There were 2,544 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $30,725, and the median income for a family was $37,486. Males had a median income of $33,163 versus $20,039 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,971. About 11.4% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over. ==Economy== The local economy is fueled by [[Union Pacific]] Railroad which operates a car repair shop on the east side of Main Street. [[Wal-Mart]] and De Soto School District #73 are the largest employers. ==Transportation== De Soto's main train station on the [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]] was constructed in 1919 and demolished in 1982.<ref name="Leader-Train">{{cite news |last=Inserra |first=Teresa |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Amtrak agrees to add passenger rail stop in De Soto |url=https://www.myleaderpaper.com/news/amtrak-agrees-to-put-stop-in-de-soto/article_a20d6f32-4114-11ee-b756-c7e88838b57d.html |work=Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=August 24, 2023}}</ref> It had passenger service until April 30, 1971;<ref>{{cite news |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Amtrak to add Texas Eagle stop in De Soto, Mo. |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-to-add-texas-eagle-stop-in-de-soto-mo/ |work=[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]] |accessdate=August 24, 2023}}</ref> for several decades afterward, [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' passed through De Soto without stopping. Amtrak announced in 2023 that it would add a De Soto stop to the ''Texas Eagle'', pending agreements with [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] and construction of a platform, after the city government had campaigned for its inclusion.<ref name="Leader-Train"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=August 24, 2023 |title=De Soto clears hurdle in quest for Amtrak stop |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/de-soto-clears-hurdle-in-quest-for-amtrak-stop/article_459169d2-4201-11ee-8ef3-23093a96c2fd.html |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |accessdate=August 24, 2023}}</ref> ==Education== Public schools are run by the De Soto School District #73: * De Soto Senior High School * De Soto Junior High * Vineland Elementary * Athena Elementary St. Rose of Lima School is the only private school in town run by St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. The closest institution of higher education is in [[Hillsboro, Missouri]] at [[Jefferson College (Missouri)|Jefferson College]]. The town has a lending library, the De Soto Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610012728/http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2017 | title=Missouri Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> ==Notable people== *[[Mel Bay]], musician, music teacher, and publisher of sheet music<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanprofile.com/article/37391.html |title=Learning to play the Mel Bay way - American Profile |access-date=2010-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118101351/http://www.americanprofile.com/article/37391.html |archive-date=2010-01-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *[[Thomas Clement Fletcher]], [[Governor of Missouri]] *[[The Duke of Paducah|Whitey Ford]], comedian known as "[[The Duke of Paducah]]" *[[Michael H. Hall]], Wisconsin State Assemblyman *[[Juanita Hamel]], newspaper illustrator and writer *[[Burdette Johnson]], numismatist *[[William E. Lewis]], Missouri state representative *[[Jay Nixon]], 55th [[Governor of Missouri]] and former state Attorney General *[[Frank Wilcox]], actor ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://www.desotomo.com City website] * [http://www.desotorailroadmemorial.org De Soto Railroad Employee's Memorial Park] * [http://rootsweb.com/~mojeffer/desotomo.html RootsWeb history of De Soto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517195201/http://rootsweb.com/~mojeffer/desotomo.html |date=May 17, 2006 }} * [http://www.desoto.k12.mo.us/ De Soto Public School District #73] * Historic maps of De Soto in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138775 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the [[University of Missouri]] {{Jefferson County, Missouri}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Missouri]] [[Category:1857 establishments in Missouri]] [[Category:Cities in Missouri]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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