DeSoto Parish is named for Hernando deSoto, who was a Spanish explorer who discovered and named the Mississippi River.
Surrounding Parish and County Courthouses:
N – Caddo Parish
E – Red River Parish and Natchitoches Parish
S – Sabine Parish
W – Panola County, Texas and Shelby County, Texas
Created: April 1, 1843 
Parish Seat:
Mansfield 1843 – present
Parish Courthouse – Mansfield
Location: 101 Texas Street / Washington Avenue
Built: 1911 – 1912
Style: Beaux Arts and Mediterranean
Architect: Favrot & Livaudais
Contractor: Corbin Brothers.
Description: The building faces south and is a two story brown colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Mansfield. On either side of the center block are lower side wings with Tuscan pilasters. The south front has a projecting center section with entrance on the first story and Ionic columns on the second story with an ornamental parapet culminating in a central sculptural cartouche. Above the entrance is a small balcony on the second story and a balustrade at the roof line. A wide cornice runs between the first and second stories and along the flat roof line. The windows on the second story are arched. In the interior, there is a central hall running to the ends of the building where an imperial staircase ascends to the second story. The Parish District Court courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the Parish District Court of the 42nd Judicial District. The architect was Favrot & Livaudais and the contractor was Corbin Brothers.
See: National Register of Historic Places – DeSoto Parish Courthouse
Old Parish Courthouse – Mansfield
Location: NW – Polk Street / Madison Street
Built: 1843
Style: Log Cabin
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Local labor
Description: The building faces east and is a one story log cabin structure. The building is located in the center of Mansfield. The old log cabin structure acted as the DeSoto Parish Courthouse until 1854. The east front has a small porch. The roof is hipped. The building was discovered as part of the General Ross Hewitt home when that building was demolished. The building was restored in 1980 and the contractor was Dennis Manthel. The building is located on landscaped grounds behind the Post Office. The building is now a museum.
History: The parish was created in 143 and Screamerville was selected as the parish seat. In 1843, the parish seat was moved to Mansfield. The first courthouse was a log cabin built and used from 1843 to 1854. The cost for the courthouse and jail was $900. The second courthouse was built by Johnson in 1854. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1911 to 1912.
Parish Courthouse – Mansfield
Parish District Court courtroom
Parish Administration Building – Mansfield
Old Parish Courthouse – Mansfield
Photos taken 2011 and 2017