Wm. "Uncle Billie" Adams, founder of the town, owned extensive farmland, a hotel, gristmill, tannery, and blacksmith shop. The village that grew up around his home and businesses was called Adamsville until 1860, when it was renamed Salyersville for the legislator who sponsored the creation of Magoffin County. In 1871, Adams and his wife gave land for a courthouse and other public buildings.