Stanton

History

Joseph Blackwell Stanton purchased the land that is now the town of Stanton in the early 1830s for roughly $3.50 per acre. Stanton used his influence in the area to ensure the railroad line ran through his land, and thereafter numerous families moved to the community from the nearby Wesley community some four miles to the west. Initial businesses in the area were a depot operated by Corydon Spencer and a store operated by F.W. Chaney, who also served as the small town's first postmaster. Stanton passed soon after this influx of population, and his property passed to his daughter, the wife of Colonel Nathan Adams of the 254th Transportation Battalion. The couple began selling lots in town and saw many of the remaining businesses and homes of Wesley move to Stanton. Mrs. Adams was a staunch prohibitionist and ensured the establishment of a clause barring the sale of whiskey in the town. A now defunct hotel was housed in the downtown area soon after, along with the establishment of the Baptist church being built on land granted by Chaney. This church housed the town's first school. The Methodist church was later built on land given by a Mr. Somervell, consisting of the congregation from Wesley's Methodist church. The Presbyterian church was built in 1872 and the Church of Christ was established in 1952. The Masonic Lodge was constructed in 1871, with the top floor being used by the Masons while the bottom floor operated as a school. Stanton provided many soldiers to the Confederate Army during the Civil War. During the war, Union general W. H. L. Wallace and his troops camped near the property of Corydon Spencer, before being fired upon by secessionist troops. In retaliation, Wallace is said to have given the order to raze the town, but was talked down by Spencer.…

Geography

Stanton is located at (35.462463, -89.401253). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity