Histories

Highway Marker Database -Lincoln County

Founded in 1760 from York County by the Massachusetts General Court, Lincoln County, Maine, is one of the state's original counties, named in honor of Major General Benjamin Lincoln. Wiscasset, known as "the prettiest village in Maine," serves as the county seat, with a history deeply tied to coastal trade, fishing, and early18th-century settlement.

Key Historical Aspects of Lincoln County, Maine:

Establishment & Geography: Created in 1760, it originally spanned a vast, largely unsettled territory in the District of Maine.
Early Settlements: The region includes historic areas like Pemaquid and Boothbay Harbor, which were active in fishing and maritime trade early on.
Key Historic Sites: Fort Edgecomb, constructed in 1808-1809, was built to protect the region during tensions with Britain. The Lincoln County Historical Association preserves landmarks like the 1811 Old Jail in Wiscasset.
Economy: Historically, the area was driven by lumber, shipbuilding, and fishing.
Historical Society: The Lincoln County Historical Association, founded in 1954, maintains records and structures reflecting the area's rich history.
It is important to distinguish this coastal Maine county from other locations, such as the town of Lincoln, Maine, or the historic Lincoln County War in New Mexico.

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