DeSoto County is named for the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto. It was created from Manatee County in 1887. Until 1921 DeSoto was one of the largest counties in the state, but residents complained of the vast distances between home and courthouse and it was subdivided to create Hardee, Charlotte, Highlands, and Glades Counties.
The original DeSoto County seat, which had also served Manatee County since 1866, was located at Pine Level. Although apparently built of brick, the Pine Level courthouse, or at least its jail, was derided as “flimsy,” allowing the escape of prisoners to such an extent that vigilantism was rampant in the large and undeveloped county. Ghost town researcher James Warnke has located the site of this structure but reports that only a few bricks remain beneath the shade of an oak hammock. Eventually, a new county seat was created at “Tater Hill Bluff,” renamed Arcadia, in 1888. Arcadia Albritton was the pretty daughter of local settlers.
The first courthouse in Arcadia was constructed by Peyton Read at a cost of $6,000, half of which had been donated to the county by four local citizens. It is probable that this structure was destroyed in a 1905 fire since historian Louise Frisbie reports only three brick buildings survived that conflagration. The current DeSoto County Courthouse was built by the Read-Parker Construction Company in 1912-13. It was designed by the Tampa architectural firm of Bonfoey and Elliot.
In the late 1870’s, the railroads were completed through Desoto County and it changed the growth of the county and brought wealth for many. In 1881, phosphate was discovered on the banks of Peace River that 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.
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN THE COUNTRY? LOOK NO FURTHER. 1.5 ACRES OF HIGH AND DRY LAND CLEARED. CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND SHOPPING BUT STILL QU...
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN THE COUNTRY? LOOK NO FURTHER. 1.5 ACRES OF HIGH AND DRY LAND CLEARED. CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND SHOPPING BUT STILL QU...
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN THE COUNTRY? LOOK NO FURTHER. 1.5 ACRES OF HIGH AND DRY LAND CLEARED. CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND SHOPPING BUT STILL QU...
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN THE COUNTRY? LOOK NO FURTHER. 1.5 ACRES OF HIGH AND DRY LAND CLEARED. CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND SHOPPING BUT STILL QU...
Welcome to Pine Creek Acres, located just off Route 70 and 72. As you come up to the vacant land, you will notice it has been fully fenced in all the way around. Currentl...
PRIME AND SUPER RARE PIECE OF REAL ESTATE NOW OFFERED FOR SALE! Check out this property measuring over 6 acres zoned IL (industrial light)! Located on Highway 70, great s...
This 20 acre vacant land tract offers approx. 625 feet of paved road frontage along County Road 760A in south Desoto County. A-5 zoning allows you to have options includi...
Almost 1 acre of land, .(,88 acre), Zoned A-5 (agriculture), large area is already cleared for potential homesite and there is plenty of fill dirt remaining from creatin...
ARE HORSES OR A MINI FARM WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR...WONDERFUL 10 ACRE PARCEL FENCED THAT SITS ADJACENT TO BEAUTIFUL HOMES. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR OWN SPECIAL PROPE...
Vacant lot zoned for Mobile Home or site built home. This lot is already cleared. Great area. You can have zero lot rent if you're looking for a place to call your own. L...