Bergholz had its start in 1883 when the railroad was built through that territory in order to access a mine.
During Morgan's Raid, a Union victory in the Civil War in 1863, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan traveled through Moorefield, Harrisville, New Athens, Smithfield, New Alexandria, Wintersville, Two Ridge, Richmond, East Springfield, Bergholz, and Monroeville on his way to defeat at the Battle of Salineville.