Lincoln County Courthouse (1874-1915), Lincolnton, Georgia

The area which became Lincoln County was first opened for European Settlement in 1773, following a treaty with the Creek and Cherokee Indians. The land was originally in Wilkes County. Lincoln County was created in 1796 and named after the Revolutionary War hero, General Benjamin Lincoln. Court was held in the private residence of Jospeh Stovall, until Lincolnton was designated the county seat about 1800. A stone courthouse was built in 1804. In 1874 the county borrowed $12,000 for the construction of a new, two-story courthouse, pictured above. It stood on the public square, where the Confederate Memorial now stands. In 1915, the present courthouse was built for $30,000. Since the old courthouse had become unsafe, it was torn down by the city.