Leighton developed at the intersection of the Byler Road and the Tuscumbia-Courtland Stage Road, where the Jeffers/Gregg Tavern served travelers as early as 1810. It was named for William Leigh, its first merchant and postmaster, in 1824. LaGrange College was established 4 miles southwest in 1830, and the railroad from Tuscumbia to Decatur was completed in 1834, carrying much cotton. A Masonic hall and union church was erected in 1837. After the Battle of Town Creek, fought 4 miles east on April 28, 1863, Union troops burned stores, homes, and the college. Leighton was rebuilt and became a thriving commercial center for the surrounding area, then was incorporated in 1891. Main Street, also called County Line Road, divided Colbert and Lawrence counties until 1895, when the boundary was moved to Town Creek. The weekly Leighton News, published by F.W. McCormack from 1890 to 1915, served the town during a period when, by 1910, Leighton had seven general merchandise stores, three groceries, five cotton buyers, two hotels, a bank, grist mill, doctors, lawyer, undertaker, druggist, livery, and Justice of the Peace. The old tavern was moved in 1911 to a spot 75 yards west of this location. Colbert County High School opened in 1910 and served much of the county, while Leighton Training School served the black community from 1928 to 1970. Other historic structures include the Dr. Kumpe house, King/Lyle house, Leckey house, Fennel house, and Claude King house.