In the year 1826, a group of intrepid pioneers ventured into the northern reaches of Henry County, where they established a nucleus of community life—a church. Comprising individuals such as P. Z. Ward, Thomas A. Ward, James W. Wilkerson, D. L. Coleman, and James Coker, this congregation would later be known as the Concord Methodist Church. The church stood proudly at the contemporary intersection of East Atlanta and Stagecoach Roads, becoming the focal point for the emerging settlement.
Around Concord Methodist Church, a vibrant community began to take shape. Initially, modest log cabins dotted the village center, with pioneers like Sam Skelton, Lewis Coleman, Mrs. Harriet Brannan, and John Friddle being among the first occupants. Witnessing the potential for growth, J. T. Bond acquired approximately 40 acres of surrounding land. In this expanding vicinity, he erected essential structures, including a shoe shop, a general store, and a post office.
The village soon welcomed its first medical practitioners, Dr. Hightower and Dr. Hambrick, who played pivotal roles in caring for the community's health. As the Civil War erupted in 1861, Henry County rallied behind the Confederate cause until the war's conclusion. Stockbridge, part of this dynamic landscape, experienced sporadic skirmishes during this tumultuous period. Notably, the village gained historical significance when the renowned Orphan Brigade, a Confederate unit hailing from Kentucky and led by former Vice President John Breckinridge, headquartered itself in Stockbridge. This strategic positioning allowed them to scout the southeastern roads emanating from Atlanta.
Contemporary accounts vividly relay the palpable sense of history unfolding in Stockbridge during this period, underscoring the village's integral role in the Civil War and its aftermath:
The Orphans' first assignment as mounted infantry was to scout the roads leading southeast from Atlanta. In late October 1864, the Brigade headquarters was established in Stockbridge, on the main road from Atlanta to Macon (now US Hwy. 23). Other roads came into Stockbridge from Buckhead and Decatur, making it an important crossroads.
Following the Civil War, Stockbridge entered a period of relative calm, with little significant development until the 1880s. A transformative moment unfolded in 1881 when representatives from the Southern Railroad Company visited the village. Expressing interest in acquiring specific parcels of land to facilitate the construction of a railroad through the area, negotiations ensued. The settlers, initially hesitant, eventually agreed to the proposed transaction. However, reports suggested that the offered price was so substantial that the businessman ultimately declined to pay it. Later that same year, John W. Grant and George W. Adair entered the scene, purchasing land located a mile or two south of the village. This pivotal move marked the advent of the railroad in Stockbridge.
The impact of the railroad was profound. The old village site, deemed impractical due to the new rail alignment, had to be abandoned. The citizens, undeterred, commenced a relocation process to align with the new train station. Construction activities gained momentum, and by 1882, the first houses within the city limits began to take shape. Notable among these early constructions were the houses built by J.T. Bonds and W.W. Ward.
A major milestone occurred in 1890 when the Harmony Masonic Lodge officially relocated to the emerging Stockbridge city. This transfer underscored the city's growing prominence and established it as a focal point for community activities. The railroad not only reshaped the physical landscape but also catalyzed Stockbridge's evolution into a thriving urban center.
In 1920 the city boasted:
"400 inhabitants, five churches , two schools, a splendid bank, telephone exchange, steam ginnery, eight stores, electric light plants, two cotton warehouses, hotel,, lumber yard, two garages, a commodious brick school building, with auditorium and five recitation rooms; two physicians, one lawyer, and one of the best police officers in the state."
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