The Seaboard Airline Railroad was instrumental in assisting towns and villages along the railroad
with different forms of entertainment and celebrations
for special occasions. At their urging Stanley Creek
formed a dramatic club for presenting plays, with local people as actors. Their club was named the
Bumba-la Club and their first play was presented to
townspeople and visitors on June 14, 1900. Located
outdoors on a hillside, the area was decorated with
flowers and an arched gateway with seats in a circular
fashion. Refreshments were served by little girls of
the community. Actors in the first play were Maggie
Howell, Viola and Bertie Peterson, Elise Ramsey, Carrie McLurd and Frank Hovis, Robert Abernethy,
Howard Thompson, Lucius McKeown, Frank Carpenter and Loy Thompson.
Religion was an integral and dominating factor in the daily lives of Stanley Creek residents in
1900. Pastors in the area were Rev. R. H. Wilson of
the Presbyterian faith; Rev. J. H. West, Methodist
Episcopal; Rev. J. C. Havnaer of the Baptist; Rev.
Mr. Padgett was a Wesleyan Methodist; and the
United Bretheren had protracted meetings in tents on
occasion. Many times there were union meetings in
which people of all faiths congregated at the same location for services. Itinerant or tent preachers came to
town often and pitched their tents. Union revivals
were held; one was mentioned to have gone on every
night for five weeks. Pastors were looked upon with the utmost regard by townspeople and many named
their children after a much loved pastor. Most articles in the newspaper from the local area began with
excerpts from the sermons that had been preached at the various churches.
Railroad Agents
Charlie Fox Smith and Frank Carpenter were Agents for the Seaboard Airline Railroad in Stanley Creek
in 1900.
New Methodist School
The new Stanley Creek Institute, a school backed by the Methodist Conference, was completed in November
of 1900. Townspeople celebrated with a rally and speakers. The school opened with 137 pupils.
See Schools
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