Ashburn, the county seat of Turner County, was incorporated December 26, 1890. The city was named for the early settler W. W. Ashburn, who purchased a portion of the future town site for ten dollars. The city’s original name was Troupville Crossroads.

There are a number of buildings in Ashburn that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Included on the registry are the Turner County courthouse, the Ashburn Heights-Hudson College Avenue areas, Shingler Heights and the Ashburn Commercial District.