The tract of land was to be not less than 50 nor more than 160 acres. According to the act, once the land was acquired, it was to be laid out in lots with streets. All lots were to be sold with the proceeds to be used for needed county buildings, building bridges and improving highways. The land selected was donated by three farmers who lived in log cabins they had built on the land. The County Court began meeting in Union in June of 1827 in a double log house and continued to meet there until the new Courthouse was completed in 1828.
Tradition says the new building was of logs, but according to the deed it was brick.
In 1849, the building was replaced by a new two-story brick structure and, in 1923, construction of the current Courthouse was completed. All three have been located on the site of the original public square. Business and houses began going up immediately. Added to the town in its first 15 years were a blacksmith, two general stores, a wagonmaker, a cabinet maker, a shoemaker, a hotel, a tavern, and a four-story flour mill. The post office was opened on July 20, 1827.