"A great place to come home to"

Gunter's Crossroad
The history of Wagener dates back to 1887.  The early settlement was known as Guntersville or Gunter's Crossroad.  The town is situated on what was once farm land belonging to Elridge Gunter.  He gave the poperty for the schools and the Baptist Church. 

The Southern Railroad
The little town grew when the Southern Railroad ran a line through to Batesburn.   Nearly all of the town that sprang up along the railroad wanted to use the last name of George Wagener, who was a strong supporter of the railroad and the owner of a wholesale house in Charleston.  It was through the influence of J. A. Gunter, a prosperous local farme, that the town received the honor of using this distinguished name.  

Incorporation
The Town of Wagener was incorporated by a charter issued by the Secretary of State and is governed by five elected officials:  a mayor and five councilmen.

The building of the railroad was the beginning of rapid ....