[1] In 1882–83, Oscar F. Thornton emigrated from California and established a farming community near the station.

Due to the fertility of the farmland, he named his community Christvale.

[3] Thornton became the first postmaster of the Christvale post office when it was established on September 25, 1888.

[1] Railroad personnel did not like the name, however, and shortened it to Chrystoval (or Crystoval).

After closing down at some point, the post office was re-established on May 21, 1914, under the name of Stoval.