Settled in 1854, as “Crossroads”  Wood County’s first business was located here.  The crossroads name was changed, with the establishment of the town’s first post office, to Winnsborough in 1855, in honor of the town’s founder, John Winn.   In 1878, the railroad was built through town.  At this point the area became an important shipping point for timber and farming products.  From 1878-1893 the town’s name was spelled “Winnsboro” or “Winnsborough.”  In 1893 the name was formally changed to “Winnsboro”. Winnsboro became incorporated in 1901.  Cotton supported the economy from the 1880s to 1950s.   In 1942, oil discovery revived the economic system.  Winnsboro serves the Tri-County area as an agriculture, oil, tourist and medical center.