De Soto was first known as Winneshiek's Landing, from the chief by that name, who came here to trade his furs and supplies with the French traders at this point.  The name derives from the Ho-Chunk word for "stinking", which carries a positive meaning of strong scent (i.e. fine perfumes would be described as "stinking"). 

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De Soto, Wisconsin

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[Source: History of Crawford and Richland Counties, Wisconsin, p. 598; Milwaukee Sentinel, Aug. 29, 1939.]