The settlement of Burton was named in honor of Robert T. Burton, who laid out the townsite in 1882. Early settlers cleared the sagebrush, dug canals and ditches, planted crops, and built modest homes. A branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized in 1884 with George Foss as presiding elder. Church services and school were held in homes until a 20x30x12 ft. log meetinghouse was erected in 1886-87. It had a dirt roof, red pine floor, four windows, and a door. The first school teacher was Jennie Smith, the postmaster was H.S. Dudley, and the first white child born was Annie Thornton.