Idyllic Stockton is a lovely place to live and a wonderful place to raise a family. I know this first hand, having been fortunate enough to call it home for the past 16 years.

But Stockton is more than a small, pleasant bedroom community. It’s a place rich in history. With last weekend’s first Stockton Sawmill Days that history has been put front and center for the rest of the county to take note.

Visitors to Stockton will soon be able to begin their exploration of Stockton’s place in North Baldwin lore with a visit to the “Old Store” which is being renovated to house the Stockton Heritage Museum. The Old Store, located on Highway 59 in the center of Stockton, was first established as a general mercantile store at the turn of the last century by Fredrick S. Bryars who was its owner and proprietor. Bryars was also the Postmaster for Stockton from 1894 until his death in 1908. Known as “The Fred Bryars” Place, the store and post office continued to be run by his wife Lucy McMillan Bryars who also took his place as Postmaster.

Lucy Bryars operated the mercantile store and post office from 1908 until 1912 when she sold the property and business to her nephew Dugald Crosby. Crosby, who was the son of Brown Crosby and Martha McMillan Crosby, became Post Master in 1913. The store was renamed the D. Crosby Mercantile Co.

While Crosby retained ownership of the business and property, in 1918 the day to day operation of the business was taken over by Y.A. Cox and P.A. Bryant who renamed the business Bryant and Cox Mercantile. During this time, a new post office was built across the street from the mercantile store. The post office began operation in the new building having operated in the mercantile store for some 24 years.

Bryant left the mercantile business and the business was once again renamed. It then became Cox Mercantile with Y.A. “Joby” Cox being the sole proprietor. He ran the business for 52 years until its closing in 1971.

The building had sat vacant for four years when the Stockton Five Arts Club with permission from the Crosby family began refurbishing the structure for community use. It was renamed the Stockton Town Hall. The building was then used by the Stockton Civic Club until the recent construction of the Stockton Community Center located on the grounds of the old Stockton school.

The building is now the future home of the Stockton Heritage Museum. The Stockton Heritage Association, a 501C3 organization, is working to preserve the history and heritage of North Baldwin County. The proceeds from this past weekend’s Stockton Sawmill Days will benefit the museum. The event was a major fundraiser for the museum preservation efforts.

“Like” the Community of Stockton, AL on facebook and take a look at all of the wonderful old pictures on display on the page. Stockton’s role in the early days of our county will be preserved for years to come thanks to the efforts of the Stockton Heritage Association and its work to preserve the old mercantile building and with it a broader appreciation for the history and heritage of the area.

In other Stockton news, the Stockton Civic Club is holding a Community Market Day and Yard Sale on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. around the walking track at the Old School Yard located at 54060 Highway 59. The event will feature homemade items, yard sale items and baked good. Booth space is available for $20 for a 10 foot space around the track. For more information call Elaine Riley at 937-6623.

In other news, the Old Town Bay Minette Arts Council will hold its final Market Day of the 2013 season tomorrow, November 9th from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Blackburn Park. The event will feature handmade, homemade and homegrown items for sale.

Joanna Bailey is the director of the Bay Minette Public Library. She can be reached at baileyvolumes@gmail.com