Snapshot of DeSoto County Florida
DeSoto County is located in Florida’s Heartland along the Peace River. DeSoto County is named for the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto. It was carved out from Manatee County in 1887.
In the late 1870's, railroads were completed through Desoto County which inspired growth and brought wealth to many in the area. In 1881, phosphate was discovered on the banks of Peace River which flows through the county. Mining of this mineral brought much prosperity for many years. Ruins of the old phosphate docks can be found today near Liverpool on Hunter Creek, just a few hundred yards from the Peace River in South DeSoto County.
Until 1921, DeSoto was one of the largest counties in the state, but residents complained of the vast distances between their homes and the county seat at Pine Level. It was then subdivided, creating today's Hardee, Charlotte, Highlands, and Glades Counties.
The original DeSoto County seat in Pine Level, which had also served Manatee County since 1866, was moved to Tater Hill Bluff, which was, renamed Arcadia, in 1888.
The Read-Parker Construction Company built the current DeSoto County Courthouse in 1912. It was designed by the noted Tampa architectural firm of Bonfoey and Elliot.
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