Why Stop In Martin County?

Stanton, the county seat of Martin County, is just a small community of about 2,500. The two signs, one on each side of the town, which proclaim “Welcome to Stanton…home of 3,000 friendly people and a few old soreheads,” have made Stanton famous as the alleged hot spot of soreheads. In practice, few old soreheads are to be found in this small West Texas county seat located halfway between Big Spring and Midland. It’s just a small town of a single traffic light and chock-full of friendly people.
For about 352 days a year nothing much happens in Stanton. But, three times a year – the second weekends of April, June and October – perhaps as many as 15,000 people from all around assemble in Stanton for Old Sorehead Trade Days. As a result of a joint effort of the Texas Cooperative Extension and the Martin County Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 1993, these events have brought economic prosperity to Stanton. The town has a new look as sidewalks have been poured, trees planted and buildings painted.
Stanton is also the home of the historic Carmelite Monastery, a two-story adobe building with walls three feet thick, which was erected in 1884 by Carmelite priests after the arrival of the T&P Railroad. Some restoration has been completed and when finished, it will be used as an interpretive center.
Martin County, with about one-half of its approximately 5,000 residents living in Stanton, has other small communities – Lenorah and Tarzan – located in the northern part of the county. All, including Stanton, are farming and ranching communities with some oil exploration and production.
Martin County is a stable type of area where everyone knows everyone else and the type of vehicle they drive. You can visit the county courthouse without going through a metal detector, and in order to cash a check at one of the two banks, chances are you will not have to show any identification.
The late Dan Saunders, a Martin County native and long-time sheriff, stated, “It’s a great place to raise kids.” Dan was right.
Stop by and visit Martin County. You will certainly feel at home! County Judge Charles T. ?Corky? Blocker