Explore the early History of Lawrence County, Ohio, by reading stories from villages, communities, townships, and other places. We focus primarily on the early 19th and 20th-century people, places, and businesses and how they shaped our county.

Map of Lawrence County, Ohio with villages and surrounding counties in Southern Ohio

Lawrence County, Ohio, is the most southerly point in the state. It runs adjacent to the Ohio River and borders West Virginia and Kentucky. Before its organization, our parent counties were Washington, Gallia, and parts of Scioto Counties in Ohio. Most early pioneers immigrated from Virginia, New England, or other countries such as Ireland, Germany, France, Great Britain, etc.

The early iron furnaces brought a booming economy to our area. This resulted in other industries and factories establishing businesses to provide essential commodities to the workers who moved here, as well as new housing and the building of communities and towns.

Reading these stories below will teach you about your ancestor’s hardships, tragedies, accomplishments, joys, and sadness in their lives. We hope you enjoy our series and look around The Lawrence Register website for additional historical and genealogical information.

Lawrence County, Ohio, is divided into fourteen townships, each with its own history and communities. Exploring these townships can help researchers discover where their ancestors lived and settled.

The southern portion of Lawrence County follows the Ohio River, bordering Kentucky and West Virginia. Streams, creeks, and other waterways also played an important role in early transportation and settlement throughout the county.