These are articles that are in the History of Jones County Vol. 1, published in 1910

There are many interesting items in this book and others at the Edinburgh Museum.

Edinburg – The County Seat.

          Wayne township has the distinction of harboring within the borders of her limits, the first county seat of Jones county. Though there be naught but the rich soil, the accumulated fertility of decayed embryo city now on the surface to tell the story of her early romance, history must record the details of the achievements of this historic spot. The town of Edinburg was located in section thirty-six of this township, and had the advantage of geographical location in its favor for growth and desirability as a place of habitation and business.

          A visitor thus described the Edinburg of 1840: "Edinburg was a city of grass. Its streets run in all directions. In fact it was all street. You could wander over its entire extent without getting sight of a single wall, brick, stone or wood. The earth below and the blue vault above were the only signs that the place was intended for human habitation; and as all cities require ornament of some kind, a bounteous nature had planted there and reared a few scattering trees. Such was Edinburg in the summer of 1840."

          A log cabin has been erected as a courthouse. This log house was in reality a block house. The logs were squared on all for sides and made eight inches thick one way, and a tenon cut on each end. Heavy logs squared to twelve or fourteen inches, and with a slit along a mortise cut in one or two sides, were stood up at each corner, and on each side of the doors and windows, and the logs slid down till the wall was full. This was the first courthouse, in which Judge Wilson dispenses justice to those seeking it. This county capitol was erected at a cost of about one hundred and ninety dollars, Of this sum, E. Sutherland was paid one hundred forty dollars for erecting the structure, and James Spencer, Wayne's first permanent settler, was paid fifty dollars for work done in rendering the building comfortable.

          Another log cabin was erected by William Hutton, who was the first clerk of Jones county, and this building was used as a store, but the store not proving profitable, was soon abandoned.

          In June, 1841, the first church organization in the county was effected at this place, and the history of this organization is given in the history of the Presbyterian church of Scotch Grove.

          The embryo city manifested no evidence of growth and development, The people became dissatisfied with the location of the county seat, and it was not long until a petition was sent to the legislature asking for the relocation of the county head-quarters.

          Hence it is that the town or village of Edinburg occupies no place on the map of the county today. The excavation for the first building yet remains to locate the spot where "might have been" erected a commodious and a creditable courthouse.

Note that Wilma Merfeld has identified the location where the first court house was located based on information from relatives that had lived in that area.