De Leon was established on April 16, 1881 and named as such because of its close location to the Leon River. The first building in the new town was a general store built by E. N. Waldrup. Other businesses quickly followed, including a grocery store, saloon, restaurant, meat market, blacksmith shop, steam powered grist mill and a cotton gin. Cotton was originally the most important crop in the area, but by 1915, peanuts and oil led the economy. De Leon has been known for its popular Peach & Melon Festival since 1914. De Leon offers all of its 2,400 residents a peaceful, safe quality of life and is known as “The Busiest Town, Friendliest People.”