From 1840 to 1865, it was called Centreville due to its central location at the intersection of Furnival Road and 7th Concession (now Downie Line).

The centre of the village was relocated three kilometres to the south when the Canada Southern Railway was built in the area in 1872.

The station itself was renamed West Lorne in 1907 to avoid confusion with a community named Bismarck in Lincoln County.

[8] West Lorne is linked by Elgin County Road 76 to the 401, a major arterial highway link in Ontario affording easy access to Windsor, Chatham, St. Thomas, London, Brantford, Toronto, and many other places.

The town of West Lorne was greatly influenced by the railroad that crossed through the heart of the village.