Clinton was incorporated on October 9, 1890, although it had existed since Anderson County was established in 1801. The legislature appointed commissioners to locate a county seat "as near the river Clinch, on the north side, as circumstances will permit, between Island Ford and Samuel Worthington's." Forty acres were purchased from John Leib for $500 and named Burrville for Vice President Aaron Burr. In 1809, after Burr's disgraceful duel with Alexander Hamilton, the town was renamed Clinton. The current city hall was built in 1949.