The City's origins predate the Revolutionary War. Spartanburg was named for a unit of American Revolution forces called the "Spartan Rifles" who helped defeat the British at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, under the leadership of General Daniel Morgan.

The town of Spartanburg was incorporated in 1831 and later as a city in 1880 by the 13 Original States and Tennessee. During this time Spartanburg was booming due in large part to the rapidly expanding textile industry. The town grew quickly with many moving into mill villages to staff the mills.

The City's first Town Hall was located in the "Opera House." The ground floor of the building housed the guardhouse and offices for City Government. The second floor was leased for theatricals and special events.

In 1903 the City Council ordered the destruction of the Opera House to make possible the widening of main Street for paving. The next City Hall was built in 1914. The current City Hall was erected in 1961.