The City was named De Soto in honor of the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto who claimed the Louisiana Territory for Spain. The City had been nicknamed the "Fountain City" because of its many artesian wells.

Water from the artesian wells and springs in this area was bottled and sent by tank car to the World Fair of 1904 in St. Louis. During the 1950s and 1960s De Soto was twice named as an "All American" city.

In 1980 De Soto was named as the center of the United States Population. Its rich history and proud heritage are just two reasons why De Soto now considers itself the "City of Pride"