DeSoto Tower - DeSoto, TX
N 32° 36.240 W 096° 49.409
14S E 704245 N 3609478
Completed in 2008, DeSoto Tower stands over fifty feet tall at the corner of I-35E and Pleasant Run Rd in DeSoto, TX, welcoming visitors to one of the oldest communities in North Texas.
Waymark Code: WMMBY6
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/28/2014
Views: 4
On each face of the obelisk is the city name, "DeSoto", with cattle heads and stars as ornamentation near the apex. On the front of the obelisk is a shield with the All-America City Award, and on the reverse is a dedication plate. On two faces of the obelisk is a map of Texas, showing DeSoto's position on I-35, which runs the length of the state (and beyond) from north to south, and each face has a plaque with some background:
DeSoto, the entrance to Dallas County, is one of the oldest settlements in North Texas. Families first settled here in 1847, eleven years after Texas won its independence from Mexico. T.J. Johnson, fresh from Tennessee, built a tiny merchandise store, and in 1881 the first post office was established. The settlement was named DeSoto in honor of Dr. Thomas Hernando DeSoto Stewart, a beloved doctor dedicated to the community. During the early years DeSoto remained a farming community, but after World War II, the community began to grow. In 1949, the City of DeSoto incorporated and was the nineteenth organized municipality in Dallas County. At that time DeSoto had a population of approximately 400. Wayne A. Chowning was elected mayor, and T.O. Hash, Malcolm Hamm, S.J. Vaughn, Roy E. Spurgin and A.P. Bagby were elected council members. The first city council meeting was held at the schoolhouse on Belt Line Road on March 17, 1949. In 1999 the City of DeSoto celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2006 the City of DeSoto received the All-America City Award from the National Civic League, America's original advocate for community democracy. Since 1949 the All-America City Award has encouraged and recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes in which citizens, government, businesses and volunteer organizations work together to address critical local issues.
Date Created/Placed: 2008
Address:
Intersection of I-35E and Pleasant Run Rd, DeSoto, TX, on the southwest corner.
Height: 50+ Feet
Website: [Web Link]
Illuminated: Not Listed
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Give a narrative of your experience. What did you think of the obelisk? Did you learn anything? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.
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