Banta

Established circa 1883.
1892: A village in White River Township, Johnson County, Indiana. 14 miles northwest of Franklin, the county seat and 10 miles southeast of Mooresville, the shipping point. Population 58. Mail: Daily. G. A. Dresslar: Postmaster. Brunemer, Lee: Blacksmith. Brunemer, Wm.: Wagon maker. Duke, R. S.: Barber. Graves, Frank, book agent. Mallow, George, carpenter. Wilkins, Frank, meat Market. (ref: Illustrated Historical Atlas of Johnson County Indiana 1820-1900.)

Prior to 1883 there had also been listed the following: Greenwood, H. B., shoemaker, Wilkins, F. C.: carpenter. Wright, Henry: carpenter. (all listed in 1890). Warren, Tombleson & Co.: sawmill listed in 1887.

At present Banta is a crossroad with a small store, probably the General Store mentioned in the historical accounts above, and several older homes. The Banta Store is the favorite hangout for the local kids as the supplies offered are stocked with them as the main customers. The store is very eclectic and serves a dual function as a museum of various tools, bottles, cans etc. of earlier years. The present owner of the store is Madonna Musgrave. She and her husband (deceased) and her son keep it in operating order. I you would like a short trip to the past this is an excellent quick stop. Ask to see the Liar's Bench and about the store's offerings in the way of honey and bee supplies. Remember this about the location: Banta Rd. is the County Line. So if you are standing on the East side of the Rd. you are in Johnson County. Otherwise you are standing in Morgan County.

I have supplied photos of Banta below. There are location marker shots as well as Exterior and Interior photos of the General Store. There are as well photos of some of the exterior antique signage.

My fondest memory of this store comes from my grade school days at Center Grove. I had two elementary classmates, James Taylor and Louis Warren , that used to come to school with one of my favorite treats at the time. Mickey Cookbook Treats (Banana Flip). If you have ever seen these snack treats you already know how big these tasty sponge cakes are. I could not find these in any of the larger super grocery stores so I could never buy them....that was until I asked James and Louis where they got theirs.... You guessed it .... this little store in Banta, Indiana.

This is stop #1 on our tour of Johnson County titled:
Wandering Johnson County

Johnson County side	Morgan County Signs from MC side	Looking to East.	East side of Store	West side of Store
Looking SE	West side	Front - 2nd Story	Close-up of sign West side	East side
Unbelievably small fire hydrant Morgan County Water
	Old bottles		Liars' Bench