The city was home to Urbana University and Curry Normal and Industrial Institute, a school for African American students.

Champaign County was formed on February 20, 1805, following the American Revolution and the Northwest Indian War.

Colonel William Ward, a Virginian who had settled in the Mad River Valley with Simon Kenton in 1799, purchased 160 acres which he considered the logical and most acceptable site for Champaign's county seat.

The county commissioners approved the proposal, and Ward, with Joseph C. Vance, entered into a written agreement on October 11, 1805.

[5] The origin of the name 'Urbana' is unclear; however, it is thought that Ward and Vance used the Latin word 'urbs', which means city.

"[7] Others feel that Ward and Vance chose to name it from a town in Virginia, possibly Urbanna, but this seems unlikely.

[8] When Ward delegated Vance to survey the site, there were no platted towns between Detroit and Springfield to use as a model.

They provided for an ample public square, and laid the streets in an orderly pattern with no deviations for bogs and swamps.

[9] On June 4, 1897, residents of Urbana formed a lynch mob and fought their way into the town jail to remove Charles Mitchell, a black man who was suspect in the killing of a white.

Trying to protect him, Sheriff McCain had summoned the state militia, led by Captain Leonard.

When the lynch mob gained entry after 2:30 am, the sheriff withdrew militia forces to an upper floor in retreat.

In November 2013, Damian Prendergast, who was a local skateboarder, died from germ cell cancer.

Following his death, his high school class raised $700 and support to dedicate the skatepark in Damian's name.

Businesses in the square include banks, accounting, fine dining, bars, and personal care.

[19] Urbana is also home to the annual Simon Kenton Chili Cook-Off that takes place downtown in the monument square.