The history of Stone County, Missouri, is rich and intertwined with the broader narrative of the Ozark region. Here’s a look at some key aspects and events:

Early Inhabitants and Exploration:

  • Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Delaware who immigrated around 1800-1808. They were later compelled to move to the Kansas Territory in the 1830s.
  • The first known white settler was James Yocum, of French origin, who established a trading post around 1790 at the junction of the James and White Rivers. He traded with both Native Americans and early white settlers.
  • Explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft traveled through the region in 1818 and 1819, documenting its features and inhabitants, including observing galena (lead ore) in the James River.

Establishment of Stone County:

  • Permanent Anglo-Saxon colonization began around 1833, with settlers primarily arriving from Kentucky and Tennessee, seeking agricultural land.
  • Stone County was officially organized on February 10, 1851, formed from a portion of Taney County.
  • The county was named in honor of William Stone, an English pioneer who had served as a Taney County Judge and was a veteran of the War of 1812.
  • The initial county seat was Jamestown, which was later renamed Galena due to the discovery of lead deposits in the area.

Civil War Period (1861-1865):

  • The issue of slavery was a point of local debate in the 1850s. While Stone County had a small slave population (16 in the 1860 census), most men who fought in the Civil War sided with the Union.
  • Several small skirmishes occurred within Stone County, often related to the control of the “Wire Road” (originally the “old Wilderness Road”), which was crucial for telegraph lines used by the Union for communication. Confederate troops targeted these lines, leading to retaliatory actions by Union forces.
  • Local military units were formed, including the Stone County Home Guard, Company K of the 72nd Enrolled Missouri Militia, and the 14th (later 8th) Missouri Cavalry.
  • Both Union and Confederate armies often harvested crops from local residents, causing hardship. The town of Blue Eye was nearly deserted due to border warfare.

Post-Civil War Development:

  • The arrival of the railroad in the early 1900s significantly aided the region’s reconstruction and development.
  • In 1904, the White River Railway extended through Stone and Taney counties, facilitating transportation and economic growth.
  • The late 1880s saw the beginnings of the tourism industry, with attractions like Marvel Cave (discovered in the early 1880s and later the foundation for Silver Dollar City) drawing visitors.
  • Float fishing on the James and White Rivers also became a popular tourist activity, with Galena gaining a reputation as the “capital of float fishing.”

20th Century and Beyond:

  • Galena became a significant town with a depot, canning factories, timber and tie industries, a bank, and other businesses.
  • The Y-Bridge in Galena, built in 1926-1927, became a local landmark.
  • Stone County was part of the Branson Micropolitan Statistical Area until 2023, reflecting the strong economic ties to the entertainment hub of Branson.

Key Historical Events:

  • 1851: Stone County is officially organized on February 10th.
  • 1852: Jamestown, the original county seat, is platted and later renamed Galena.
  • 1853: The first post office in Galena begins operation.
  • Civil War (1861-1865): Several skirmishes occur in the county, primarily along the “Wire Road.”
  • Early 1900s: The railroad is extended through Stone County, boosting the economy.
  • Late 1880s: Tourism begins to develop around Marvel Cave and float fishing.
  • 1926-1927: The iconic Y-Bridge is built in Galena.
  • 1937: The last public execution in the United States takes place in Galena.

Stone County’s history showcases the transition from early settlement and resource-based industries to the development of tourism, shaping its present-day character.