Unfortunately, it's difficult to tell for sure. Named for a railroad engineer Stanley began as a railroad siding, then promoted itself to tent city and later to small town. It was a center for agriculture in the area, and continued to be a siding for the railroad. Agriculture declined in the area in the Thirties, and the railroad left in the Forties. But Stanley stuck around.
Today there's a store with gas pump, a post office, farms, and other small buildings.
But somewhere along the line, Stanley must have decided it was best not to let people in on its true feelings. Stanley's demeanor is difficult to assess. As I snapped my pictures, I wondered how to react to Stanley's mixed message. I wanted to know where I stood. Finishing my photos, I drove past town again, then turned around and came back.