Lawrence County was created October 21, 1817, by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly from mostly Indian Territory as a result of the Treaty of 1816 with the Chickasaw Indians. A section of Hickman County and a small portion of Giles County were included in its boundaries also. Local government was established in 1818.

The county seat, Lawrenceburg, was chosen in 1819 because of its proximity to the center of the county and the fact that Jackson’s Military Road ran on the eastern edge of the town. In April, 1821, the road was changed to go through the center of the town. This road was a major thoroughfare from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, and has played a significant role in the development of the county. The county and county seat were both named in honor of Captain James Lawrence, U.S. Naval hero of the War of 1812.

One of the first commissioners and justices of the peace from Lawrence County was David Crockett. He ran a water-powered grist mill, powder mill and distillery in the area of the county that is now David Crockett State Park. Although he was only here for four or five years, David Crockett had a tremendous impact on the county and is a main attraction for tourists.

In addition to the county seat of Lawrenceburg, other primary communities are presently Summertown, Henryville, Ethridge, Leoma, Loretto, St. Joe, West Point, and Iron City. Most of these were once major towns and their existence came about either because of Jackson’s Military Road or due to iron ore mining.

Several people have influenced Lawrence County’s history. Colonel George Henry Nixon was Colonel during the Civil War, a politician, and the person most responsible for the railroad coming to Lawrence County. James Jackson Pennington was our most famous inventor having invented and patented a working model of an “Aerial Bird” — similar to a zeppelin — in 1877. Thomas Paine was a lawyer, politician, and teacher, but most important, he was appointed the first Commissioner of Education in Tennessee in the 1880’s by the Governor. During this time he helped develop the public education system. In 1899 Paine was appointed Commissioner of Agriculture. James D. Vaughan transformed Lawrenceburg into the undisputed capital of Gospel Music in America. People came from all over the south to attend his school of music. Vaughan Publishing Company printed gospel music books and had branch offices in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.