The city of Glasgow was established by the state assembly in 1799. The same year, the community was selected as the seat of a new county, owing to its central location, its large spring, native John Gorin's donation of for public buildings, and its being named for the Scottish hometown of the father of William Logan, one of the two commissioners charged with selecting the county seat. A post office was established in 1803, and the town received its city rights in 1809.