Shortly after the founding of the town a group of young men formed a band under the leadership of C.V. Mickey. They were paid by donations from the citizens of the city and played anywhere in Spring Park they could find a spot to sit. They gave five concerts each week and for several years the band played from May 1 to Oct. 1. Concerts in 1896 were two hours long.

In 1897 the eight men in the band were paid $100.00 per month for the four and a half month season, under the direction of A.M. Henry. Professor Henry was described in 1898 in the local paper as "a veritable pied piper whose soul was filled with music and was not afraid to turn it out". Henry also manufactured cigars.

By 1902 the band had ten members, new uniforms, and new music.

Ladies appeared in the band for the first time in 1919, and in 1925 Dr. Netherow formed a ladies band called the American Maiden's Band, composed of 24 El Dorado Springs ladies.

In 1929 the citizens voted a two mill tax to support the band and a band committee was appointed by the mayor. In 1959 the two mill was lowered to 1% mills. An election in 1960 resulted in the voters approval of retaining the band tax - and the band.

The concerts were reduced from 5 to 4 a week in 1948, then reduced to 3 in 1960.

Through the years the band has taken part in any number of local events. For example, when the first automobile came to town in 1908, it was escorted by the City Band. On the death of Payton Cruce the band led the funeral procession to the city cemetery. The band plays during the annual Picnic, although the early tradition of playing for all the free acts morning, afternoon and evening is now a thing of the past.

Trips outside the city include the bands first radio broadcast at Salina, Kansas and the dedication of the Band Shell in Fort Scott, Kansas.

W.W. Sunderwirth holds the record for directing the band the greatest number of years. He began playing in the band in 1932, when he came to El Dorado Springs and began to practice law. Sunderwirth became county prosecutor, then served terms in both the Missouri House and Senate. He served as Magistrate and Probate Judge until his retirement in 1975. His wife Lillian serves as program director, preparing music for each concert.