Jefferson County

Stapleton, was first a county post office known as Spread Oak, and then was shortened to Spread.  Located 1460 Militia District, at the junction of the Ga and Florida, and Savannah and Atlantic Railroads.

In 1885 when the Augusta, Gibson, and Sandersville railroad was built, now known as the Ga and Florida, the name changed to Stapleton in honor of Col. James Stapleton. 

At the time there was only one store and a few homes.  The town was incorporated in 1906., and has steadily increased in population, which at present is about five hundred.  Financially and morally the town ranks  far above the average.  In the history of the town and community there has never been a murder committed among the whites.

This is an agricultural section, and is considered among the best farming lands in the country, lying on a ridge which is the highest point in the county.  The chief crops are cotton and grain; the lumber industry has rapidly increased in recent years.

In 1888, a school building was erected.  Later this was found to be inadequate for the needs of the community, and in 1916 a modern brick building was erected on a hill overlooking the town.  Eight acres of land was donated for a campus by Mr. James Stapleton.  Stapleton has the distinction of having the only brick building in the county and possibly in the state, built by voluntary subscription.  There is no bond indebtedness against her school building.  In the recent mental tests of schools made by the state, Stapleton ranked first in the county.

There are two churches, Methodist and Baptist.  Among the first settlers of this community was George Stapleton, Sr., who served throughout the Revolutionary War, and is buried at his home place near here on land granted him by the government for war service.  The place has never been sold, and is still in possession of his descendants, J. T., J. D. and S. J. Dickson.

George Stapleton, Jr., served as major in the war of 1812 under Gen. Andrew Jackson.  After the war he retired to his home in Stapleton and was a successful planter.  At the close of the Civil War, when Pres. Jefferson Davis was fleeing from he Federal troops, he passed through this section, and his horse being jaded, he exchanged it with Major Stapleton for a fresh one.  At the time of Mr. Davis' capture the horse was in his possession.  For thirty-three consecutive years, either in the Senate or House of Representatives, Major Stapleton represented Jefferson and Warren Counties in the legislative halls of our state.  He was ordained to the ministry in 1865.  Col. James Stapleton, son of Major George Stapleton, Jr., and grandson of George Stapleton, Sr., served his country as lieutenant and captain in Confederate Army, and was promoted to rank of colonel.  He  served in the legislature sixteen years.  In 1877 he was ordained to the ministry and served several churches until the time of his death.

The town was in the line of Sherman's March to the Sea, and the usual plunder of homes and stock suffered.  A small skirmish occurred here in which one Yankee was reported killed.  One of the early residents of the town was Captain I. F. Adkins, who served as captain in the Civil War.  For a number of years, until his death, he was county surveyor.  Others were Captain Douglas, J. T. Glover, Sr., T. J. Dickson, W. R. Hammet, James Denton, Aaron Denton, W. E. McNair, S. M. McNair, William Clark, Jasper Vining and W. T. O'Neal.  One of the prominent men of the town is David Denton, who served as lieutenant under Gen. Stonewall Jackson, in the army of Northern Virginia. He was noted for his generosity; and it was largely through his efforts that the Baptist church was built.  Also he was the largest contributor tot he new school building.

The corner store on the right is were the Bank once was.  It still has the Stapleton Bank look on the inside. (2007)

Old Photo of the Business District on Main Street in Stapleton.

The old Bank of Stapleton

The first post office of Stapleton later a  Funeral Home, now Hadden Income Tax Services.  On the far left  is Sutton's Service Station in operation 2007.

The Old General Store. Now owned by James Hobbs.  Far left brick building - Hadden Income Tax Service-2007.

Old Stapleton Bank which is directly across from the Main street from the old Stapleton Bank.  City Hall is using this building now.  On the left of the City Hall is the David Denton home place. (2007)

Photo below is the Stapleton Denton Hardware and Groceries store as it was in the 1800's.

 The photo below is of the old Stapleton Garment Factory. This was the Old Stapleton Denton Hardware and Groceries store.

Stapleton Garment Factory.  This Factory is slowly being demolished. (2007)

Master Trouser Corporation before it was the Stapleton Garment Factory. (2007)

Old Stapleton Gin Company

MAIN STREET STAPLETON, GA (2008)

Irby Home Place, Main St., Stapleton, Ga (2008)

473 Main Street, Stapleton, Ga

372 Baker Street, Stapleton, Ga  (Kilgore Home)

Church St. - Jay Street - Marie Stapleton's Home Place on the left and Seth Neely Home Place on right now occupied by Nancy Williams Clark. All through this area use to be large pecan orchards.  Some trees still exist in the far back. Stapleton Cemetery on the front right. (2008)

Back of the Stapleton Baptist Church with the view of the cemetery.

More of Stapleton Cemetery.  Seth Neely home place now occupied but Nancy Clark in the far left background

Front of Stapleton Baptist Church.

Stapleton Methodist Church. This church is across from the Stapleton Baptist Church.    Both share the cemetery.

Brick columns still stand from the Old Denton Park.  This also home of the one room Stapleton school.  The Stapleton Baptist Church preacher reside in this home now.  On the far right is what use to be Stapleton Nursing Home that closed in 2007. Photo taken in 2008.

Hwy 102, Train Trestle just before you enter the City of Stapleton. (2008)

More of the Hwy 102 Stapleton Train Trestle. (2008)

Farm Land near the Stapleton trash dump facing Hwy. 102. (2007)

(Sources taken from the History of Jefferson County, by Mrs. Z. V. Thomas.(1927)) - Photos taken by, Darlene Brooks - March 6, 2007 and Jan 2008. 

 Older photos are credited to Mrs. Helen Landrum 2007 .

Darlene Brooks