There is some doubt as to the origin of this county's name. It is said to have been named in honor of the county in Virginia from which the early settlers emigrated. Some sources, however, state it was called in honor of Thomas Randolph, Attorney General of the Territory, who was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe.

Randolph County is one of the Ohio border counties, situated about mid-state. It has an area of 447 square miles, divided into twelve townships. The incorporated cities are Winchester, 4,487, and Union City, 3,084; towns: Lynn, 936; Ridgeville, 909; Farmland, 853; Parker City, 794; Saratoga, 303; Bronson, 252, and Modoc, 236. Total county population, 1890, 28,085; 1900, 28,653; 1910, 29,013; 1920, 26,484; 1930, 24,859.

Winchester is located twenty-four miles northwest of Richmond and is served by two railroads. It is chiefly important as center of the farming district. The industries include handle, glass, wagon, furniture, and novelty factories.

Winchester was the birthplace of Ex-Senator James E. Watson, and is the home of Ex-Governor James P. Goodrich. At the Courthouse are a number of historical markers. On the grounds is a monument to the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War and a World War Memorial dedicated to the Gold Star men. In the building's corridor is a bronze tablet inscribed with the words of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Northwest of the city, at the Randolph County Fair Grounds, is an old circular fort said to have been built by the Mound Builders.

Union City is thirty-one miles east of Muncie and is served by three railroads. The city is partly in Indiana, the rest in Ohio, divided by one street. Population of the Ohio side, which is in addition to the Indiana City, was 1,303 in 1930. Union City is a manufacturing city, its industries including sawmills, canneries, and factories for auto bodies, carriages, wheels, gloves, and electric machinery.

This city was home of one of Indiana's former governors, Isaac P. Gray. Among others of importance who were residents: Joaquin Miller, known as Poet of the Sierras; John R. Commons, Dean Emeritus of the University of Wisconsin; Jeremiah Smith, and Oliver H. Smith.

Randolph County had twenty-eight manufacturing establishments, according to 1935 federal census. There were 1,510 wage earners employed in these industries on payrolls totaling $1,566,721. The value of these was $15,305,865. A total of 93,798 head of livestock was reported.

The total county tax valuation as of 1936 was $33,102,800.