Burlington, Ohio was laid out in February 1817 by Edward Trupper of Gallipolis, Ohio. It was the first village in Lawrence County. The first white settlers in the region were James and William Canter in 1796.
Burlington was named the first county seat of Lawrence County on March 4, 1817. Three days later on the 7th, the first elections were held. John Kelley was elected the first sheriff.
The county seat needed a new courthouse and jail. Asa Kimball was awarded the contract to build the courthouse. $1,606 was spent to build the 2 story, 40 square feet building. The first floor held the courtroom and the second floor had three offices. The courthouse was moved to Ironton in 1851. The former courthouse in Burlington was used as a school building.
In the summer of 1872, a packet, Granite Slate, landed in Burlington. On board was the Dan Rice show. Tents were raised in the school yard for the show. It was considered an honor to have such a show, so everyone in town attended the show. Members of the M.E. Church were forbidden to attend. However, church members did attend and were kicked out of the church. The former M.E. Church members formed in Methodist Protestant Church.
In 1878, Burlington had the first telephone used in Lawrence County.
The first chapel and school were built in 1920.
