Thornton (originally called Texas Siding) is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Idaho, United States,[1][2] that was founded in 1917.

[2] In 1971 Thornton Merc, which replaced the two prior mercantile stores, was opened at the old Marler's location by Mrs. Geraldine Evans.

[3] Thornton was once a place for recreation and amusement, featuring a movie picture house operated by Mr. Fritz Hansen, a saloon, and a dance hall.

This elevator served to store welfare grain for church stakes until 1959, and can still be seen from U.S. Route 20 for many miles north and south of Thornton.

The Church of Jesus Christ continues to thrive in the nearby area, as expansion of Rexburg has caused commuters including employees and students of Brigham Young University–Idaho to seek available housing in Thornton and surrounding Archer and Lyman.

The Thornton Shell gas station and convenience store lies between Highway 20 and the railroad and used to be known as the Mini Mart.

Also marooned between the two highways is an older home which was once owned by the Keith Wilcox family in the mid 1900s, which has been stranded now due to the removal of a portion of South 3300 West.