A public spring of pure, cold water led to the establishment of the courthouse, public buildings, and the town at this place. Civil Engineer R.B. Tufts noted on the eighteen ninety-seven Morgan County map that this spring had long sent forth a bold, steady stream. When the new community was being sited, James Cunningham and Tallifero Finney each submitted springs, and Cunningham's round bowl spring of clear pure water was chosen. After the town was incorporated in 1809, preserving public springs became one of the first duties of town officials. In the eighteen twenties, meeting minutes recorded continued care for the Town Spring, including cleaning it out, maintaining the fence around the spring lot, and forbidding both bathing and washing clothes there.