Named for General Eleazer Ripley who served as an officer in the War of 1812, Ripley was organized in 1817 and two years later the village of Versailles was formally laid out.

Historic buildings in Versailles include Tyson United Methodist Church commissioned by James Tyson, Versailles native and co-founder of Walgreen’s. Notable because of its Art Deco-style and 100-foot spire, the church was built in 1937.

The Underground Railroad

Ripley County was active in the Underground Railroad (UGRR) during the Civil War with such towns as Osgood, Olean, Delaware, and Napoleon known to sponsor "stations" along the Underground Railroad where fleeing African Americans could find respite and safe harbor as they made their way north.

Local historians have curated five Underground Railroad Driving Maps that retrace historic spots on the trail to freedom.

On Trail4 also known as Flat Rock Trail, the old Flat Rock Freewill Baptist Church was organized in the home of Harvey Marshall with a covenant stating "We cannot receive slaveholders into the church nor those who believe that slavery is right."