The area of La Grange was first settled in 1831 by Colonel John H. Moore and it was established as a town on December 13, 1837. The first settlers were primarily from the southern regions of the United States, but there were some from other areas as well. These men and their families came for three main reasons:  

1. They had, according to their view, not enough elbow room in the older states,  

2. They were dissatisfied with the progress of established government and order, and  

3. The settlers came to La Grange because of free land; the 1830's were a time of free land grants.

It did not take long for the early settlers of the town to create a desirable place to live. By 1837, two roads had been ordered for La Grange, and in 1838 it was voted the Fayette County seat.