Barstow History and Genealogy

Barstow was not an incorporated Village. When the Sterling branch of the Chicago , Burlington and Quincy Railroad was completed through Hampton Township , a station was established on land owned by Joel G. Franklin, and named Franklin Crossing, a post office being soon after established and given the same name as the railroad station, and Mr. Franklin being commissioned its first postmaster.

When the main line of the railroad was run to this place, the name was changed to Barstow , and shortly afterwards the name of the post office was likewise changed. A large transfer in mail, passenger and freight business was done there, to and from Sterling branch, and dispatched and received to and from the main line to St. Paul and St. Louis . The village at one time consisted of twenty-five building and houses, a restaurant, a general store, blacksmith shop, school house and post office.

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