Stanley is a village with rural charm and secluded living
Before the village of Stanley was incorporated in DeSoto Parish in 1953, it was known as Oak Grove. The old name fit the area from a scenic perspective. Even today, trees line U.S. Route 84 and other roads leading into it. The rural community is tucked near the Louisiana-Texas border in a spot many residents of Shreveport, the closest large city, don’t even know exists, according to Realtor Hayli Cagle of Keller Williams Northwest Louisiana Realty. That’s how people in Stanley like it. “It has more land and more privacy,” Cagle says. It mainly consists of homes and a school, but everything else villagers need can be found in the nearby town of Logansport. The areas are intertwined, Cagle says, to the extent that people often use the names interchangeably, and some Stanley homes have Logansport addresses.
Traditional three- to four-bedroom homes on large lots
The area features many traditional three- to four-bedroom homes of varied ages, some dating back to the 1950s. Lot sizes can greatly differ; some residences are on a half-acre to three acres of land, while others farther from the village center have between 15 and 40 acres. Prices can range from $130,000 to $300,000, with the more expensive homes usually having more space. Large parcels of land are also available, often between $3,000 and $6,000 per acre. Community roads branching off the main highways can be gravel or dirt. The car-dependent area lacks sidewalks and streetlights. Stanley has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Hunting, fishing and camping opportunities, plus River City Fest
Though Stanley has no parks of its own, outdoor adventure-seekers can find places to explore within a few miles. To the west, Bayou Grand Cane is a fishing spot where largemouth bass and red drum can be found. South of the village is the 117-acre Oak Ridge Park, where people can go camping, fishing and boating. Across the border into Texas is the “Swede” Johnson Recreation Area, where people can launch their boats onto Toledo Bend Reservoir to fish for catfish and crappie. The region has various hunting seasons, with ducks open from November through January on specific days, and deer open Dec. 5-Jan. 12 if using a firearm.
Logansport throws a Mardi Gras Parade each spring. River City Fest, held annually along the Sabine River in May, includes a carnival, a treasure hunt for a $500 prize and live stage performances. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church sits on Stanley’s western edge and hosts community events like fish fries. Several other churches are in the surrounding area.
Everyday shopping and Mexican and Southern restaurants in Logansport
Residents have to drive to a neighboring town for shopping and dining. The closest option is Logansport, around 6 miles west, where Mayte’s Mexican Restaurant serves traditional food. Big Zach’s Place offers made-to-order seafood and steaks. Rosemary’s has Southern-inspired salads, sandwiches and entrees. Just past Logansport into Texas is a Brookshire Brothers grocery store. The town also has a Dollar General and a Family Dollar. “For major shopping, they’re going to go up U.S. Route 171 to get to Shreveport,” Cagle says.
Stanley High School is where all area students attend classes
Students are served by DeSoto Parish Schools. Despite its name, Stanley High School is where children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade attend classes in the area. In 2025, the institution opened a new student activities center with a state-of-the-art gymnasium. Classrooms and other facilities have also been renovated. The school earns a B-minus Niche grade.
Access to U.S. Route 84 and mild storm damage
U.S. Route 84 passes through the center of Stanley and can take drivers to Logansport or close to 15 miles east to Mansfield, where DeSoto Regional Health System has its 34-bed hospital. Shreveport Regional Airport is around 40 miles north. Cagle says the tail end of hurricanes and tornadoes can hit the area, though damage is usually mild.
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