The East Fork Stone's River originates approximately 7 miles to the east, at a spring on Short Mountain. Stone's River is named after Uriah Stone, a member of a party of longhunters who explored a section of the river in 1767. Beginning in the early 19th century, the river played an important role in the settlement of the area that became Cannon County, providing fresh water and a reliable power source for the mills that processed local agricultural products.