Weakley County was established on Oct. 21, 1823, and named for Robert Weakley, then Speaker of the State Senate. In 1825, John Terrell gave 39 acres for the county seat. Martin Lawler, Richard Ridgeway, John R. Shultz, Perry Vincent, and Mears Warner, serving as commissioners, planned the town of Dresden, which was named for the German birthplace of Warner's father. Weakley County was one of the homes of Davey Crockett. The present courthouse, built in 1950, is the fourth building to serve that function.