July 17, 1872

The first temporary town seat for Boone County, Bellefonte was incorporated as a town. Located on U.S. Highway 62/65, Bellefonte started as eighty acres of land purchased from the U.S. government by John Simms. It boasted a spring of fresh water. Simms was later joined by the Freeland, Laffoon, and Williams families. The men chose to name the community after its spring. By the time of incorporation, the town had dozens of businesses including a drugstore, a millinery shop, a livery stable, two saloons, and other establishments.