Zip Trip: The history and growth of De Soto, Kansas

DE SOTO, Kan. — De Soto is home to over six thousand people in northwestern Johnson County, Kansas.

The area was named for Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto. That same year, the town of Lexington was formed, just a couple of miles down the road.

While Lexington essentially vanished after the Civil War, De Soto grew with more settlers and was officially incorporated as a city on October 1, 1897.

Several decades into De Soto’s existence, the Sunflower Army ammunition plant opened in town during World War II, causing the population to boom.

But even after the war, the sunflower army plant changed the landscape of De Soto forever. Many decided to stay and grow their families. The plant eventually closed in 1993.

In 2022, thousands of acres of the former army plant site were annexed to De Soto. That same year, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Panasonic North America had big plans for that site.

“Panasonic Energy plans to build one of the largest EV battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in De Soto, Kansas,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said.

It is expected to open next spring and bring in thousands of new jobs.

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