DescriptionStanford began with the establishment of a trading post by Thomas C. Power in 1875, about 3 miles from its present location. Three stories explain how Stanford acquired its name. One is that, in 1880, Joseph and George Bower named the town after Stanfordville, New York, and simply abbreviated the name. Another says that when the town applied for a post office, which the people wanted to name Antelope Butte Springs, the postmaster general declared the name too long and substituted the name Stanford in recognition of U. S. Senator Leland Stanford of California. A third explanation states that the town takes its name from a Great Falls man, Maj. James T. Stanford. The railroad survey crew of the Great Northern Railway’s Billings and Northern branch line routed the new line outside of Stanford by about 3 miles, so after 28 years in one location, in 1908 the town picked up and moved to the railroad. Personal NamesPower, Thomas C.Bower, JosephBower, GeorgeStanford, LelandStanford, James T.Contributing InstitutionMontana Historical Society Library and ArchivesGeolocation[1] Elevation4278 ft. CountyJudith Basin County
