Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/954942
Farmington By Sarah Haney Farmington was settled in the 1820s by William H. Engles, of Virginia, who operated a grist mill along the banks of the Farmington Creek. e first church was started in 1831 in the home of the Rev. Josiah Trent. In 1834, the settlers completed their first church building — the Methodist Episcopal Church. is also served as a school house and as a community center. During this period, the town was known as Engles Mill until Mr. Engles renamed the town. He saw the area as a farming community well suited to farming and raising families. Farmington's first Post Office was established that same year and was located in the grist mill. Main Street was home to a blacksmith shop, wagon factory, general store/drug store and a doctor. One of the oldest and largest nurseries in the United States was based in Farmington. Stark Brothers Nursery was started in the late 1890s and continued in the area until the 1970s with strawberries and grapes as its main crops. e Ozark and Cherokee Central Railroad (the O.C. & C.) and later the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) Railroad stopped at the Frisco depot. Short trips could be taken by residents on the "Dinky" train. e railroad was abruptly closed on the morning of July 10, 1942, and the depot was dismantled and thrown onto an empty railroad car. Farmington was incorporated in the late 1940s with the majority of the city used for agricultural purposes. Today's Farmington e majority of businesses in Farmington today are service and retail based industries. Other amenities include a City Library, Community Senior Center, Farmington: Friendly community experiencing tremendous growth F Photo submitted Aaron Bale, 7, (from left) Rachel Bale, Kathryn Bale, 12, and Brynna Drummond, 11, look through their eggs during an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Farmington Kiwanis at Williams Elementary School in Farmington. Photo courtesy of Michael Woods NWA Democrat-Gazette The entrance to Farmington High School. Photo courtesy of David Gottschalk NWA Democrat-Gazette 18 – 2018 West Washington County Directory