Stella, Missouri

Stella is a village in southern Newton County, Missouri, United States. The population was 158 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village of Stella is located 17 miles southeast of Neosho.

History

The first known settlers of this area arrived in the early 1820s. The area of Stella was previously a fishing community called Springs. In October 1880, the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad sold a portion of what became Stella to Moses Eagle for $200. Moses Eagle's family arrived in the area in 1844. Stella became an incorporated town in 1930. The village was named after Moses Eagle's granddaughter. The water-powered grist mill was built in 1867 by Eagle. The Bank of Stella was established circa 1900. The area's first newspaper, the Amicus Curio, was started in 1901 by a doctor from Kent, Missouri, with the Stella Enterprise and the Stella Weekly Record established after that. The Horner Institute merged with the Stella Academy in 1911 and was located there until moving to Purdy in 1912. The Stella Baptist Church was established in 1886, with the actual church built circa 1911, the Stella Methodist Church circa 1896, while the Stella Church of Christ was established after 1950.

The Lentz-Carter Merchandise Store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Geography

Stella is located on the northeast side of South Indian Creek, one-half mile north of the Newton-McDonald county line. Access is via Missouri Routes O and F, and Missouri Route 76 passes approximately 2.5 miles to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 158 people, 65 households, and 40 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 83 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 89.9% White, 5.1% Native American, and 5.1% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 65 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the village was 37.5 years. 27.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census At first the hospital was only four rooms, A fire in 1942 damaged the hospital, but Cardwell quickly had the building rebuilt. Cardwell continued running the hospital with his wife, Ida Cardwell, and their daughter, Cleta Cardwell, until his death in November 1956. At the time of his death the Cardwell Hospital was reported to have grown to 100 beds. Their daughter Mary Sue Fountain served as the hospital administrator. However, due to considerable asbestos contamination at the site, the decision was made to remove the now derelict structure. In the summer of 2006, the former Cardwell Hospital was torn down and the site was decontaminated, making it safe for other uses. Following the removal of the building, the site was redeveloped as the Stella Veterans Memorial Park, which is dedicated to veterans from the Stella area.

Community of doctors

During the years of the Cardwell Hospital, especially during Clarence Cardwell's ownership, the town of Stella is thought to have produced more than 30 doctors and dentists, most of which are believed to have had experience working in the former Cardwell Hospital during their youth.