DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - DeSoto County is giving itself a makeover, revamping its image and developing a new website. The move includes retiring a familiar face and part of the county's namesake.
Over the years DeSoto County has had several logos, including a gold seal and the face of Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto. Those images are being replaced with something new.
"Sort of like any corporation, branding is important," says supervisor Mark Gardner. "There've been various logos and inconsistencies over the years."
Now that there's a new website on the way, there will be a new look to go with it. Designers included the top of the courthouse dome from Henando's downtown square along with other unique local features.
"The little swash through it indicates transportation and our road system and access to the Mississippi River," Gardner says. "They used the colors green and blue because a good part of DeSoto County is still agricultural. A lot of thought went into it if you want to read that much into it."
The image will be used on everything from county vehicles to shirts, stationary, and business cards. Gardner says it's paid for in the $50,000 budgeted for developing the website.
There are other DeSoto Counties in Florida and Louisiana. Gardner says now Mississippi's will be set apart when the site launches in a few weeks.
"We're not the only one," he jokes. "We're just the best one."
