Since the small town of Hardin was already in existence, it became the first county seat. After about a year, however, the Ohio General Assembly determined that Shelby County needed a more central and permanent site to serve as county seat. Thomas Van Horn and James Steele were appointed to select the new location. They were approached by Charles Starrett who owned 70 acres in what is now the heart of Sidney. He was interested in forming a town and offered the land under two conditions: If the county seat were permanently located there and if Starrett could keep half of the money received from the sale of the lots. The offer was accepted.