First known as Vardin's Grove, Libertyville was settled in 1836 by George Vardin. The village's name was later changed to Independence Grove and then to Libertyville. On June 20, 1839, it became the county seat and its name was changed to Burlington. When the county seat was removed to Little Fort, now Waukegan, on April 13, 1841, the village's name reverted to Libertyville. Libertyville was incorporated on April 15, 1882, giving the village the legal ability to create ordinances to chart its future, and John Locke was later elected president of the board of trustees.