Pike County's first settler was Ebenezer Franklin, who built a cabin in early 1820 near the future location of Atlas.

[2]: 199  Other settlers followed him to the vicinity; as late as 1829, Atlas was the only properly platted town in Pike County.

However, the commissioners' plans were too grand; this building was never constructed, and county offices began operating out of rented quarters.

The commissioners' second attempt at a courthouse was more successful; it was ordered in early 1829,[2]: 266  and by September the county had paid approximately $1,800 for its new building, 36 by 24 feet (11.0 m × 7.3 m) and two stories tall.

[2]: 267 Despite the expense of this building, county residents living far from Atlas sought to have the seat relocated, and in 1833 it was moved to a new location to be named "Pittsfield".