[2] The county was organized in 1845 and named for James Lawrence, a naval officer from the War of 1812 known for his battle cry, "Don't give up the ship!

Following the Reconstruction era, southwestern Missouri became increasingly hostile to African Americans, and whites attacked blacks in Lawrence and other counties, seeking to expel them from the region.

The mob also burned down some black homes, and drove roughly 30 families, a total of 300 African Americans, out of the city altogether.

[7][8] The extrajudicial murders were part of a pattern of discrimination, repeated violence and intimidation of African Americans in southwest Missouri from 1894 to 1909.

The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Lawrence County.

Lawrence County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.

Voters in Lawrence County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 2,628, than any candidate from either party in Lawrence County during the 2008 presidential primary.