Lincoln County

Lincoln County is in the state of Washington in the US. The county has a population of about 10,570 as of the 2010 census making it one of the least populous counties in the state. It gets its name from the famous 16^th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Also, the state’s county seat is in the second largest city Davenport.  

Lincoln county was formerly a part of Spokane county. The county has had several changes on its county lines.  

History 

Lincoln county did not exist until 1883 when legislators split Spokane county. When only four days old, they further split the county to make the Douglas county. There have been many other changes and readjustments in the county’s boundaries. 

Currently, the county is 2,317 square miles making it the eighth in size in the state.  

In earlier days, the county was a mere passage route for natives. There was a spring near the Davenport town where people would stop for a refreshing drink or spend the night. The overnight camps made the place a small town for indigenous people.  

In 1811, David Thompson, a scout for the North West Company, traversed the area. He made notes of the physical features in the county. In his account, he hails the Hell gate rapid as a treacherous trail of the Columbia River. That would later lose its ranging rapids due to the construction of the Grand Coulee dam.  

The rapids gave the county some of the great Bend Plateau. Travis and Clark did not follow or traverse the bend country. Through the years, traders would traverse through the county. They considered overland travel using the already established route.  

In 1826, a scotch Botanist, David Douglas, made his way through the county. The red Indians famously referred to him as the Grass man. Later the Douglas Fir got its name.  

1836, saw Rev. Samuel Parker, a missionary explorer, make his way through the county. He was from Ithaca, New York. After his visit, it was in 1841 that Wilkes (US government) came to the county.  

Since the arrival of the first missionary explorer in 1836, there followed several other missionaries. For instance, in 1838, two revered fathers F. N. Blanchett and Demers made their way here. In 1839, Reverend Walker and Eels would later camp near Sprague with their families.  

It was in 1853 that the Washington governor made arrangements with a surveying company to survey the area. A team set out to traverse the county and mark the current county boundaries. It was the team that adjusted the county map.   

1858, saw a group of miners pass through the county to the Fraser River mines. That was not the only group as another party would try to find their way to the Fraser river with heads of cattle. The government issued them a Red Indian to help them find their way, but they lost their way. However, they went through Columbia and only got to the San Poil River. Through the wound route, they would later find their way to the Fraser river many days later.  

In 1860, the first non-Indian resident, R. M. Bacon, made his to the Colville Valley in Stevens county. Three years later, he would move to Crab Creek Country in Lincoln county and settle down. He was a Boston native and would raise cattle. The vast land laid inhabited for years, and Bacon only had Indians come around from time to time.  

Later, other people would brave the vast wilderness to settle in the county and establish farms. 1877 to 1879 attracted many settlers in the area. However, the northern Pacific Railroad brought many people to the area. The rise in demand for wheat and hay saw many come in search of business opportunities.  

Economic background 

The county draws a lot of its income from farming. It is one of the largest wheat producers in the country after the neighboring Whitman county. Sometimes the county rakes in 680,000 tonnes of wheat in a year.  

Other activities include animal husbandry in the area. Livestock keeping for dairy and meat is on a lower level compared to crop farming. The number of animals kept on farms has been growing gradually. For instance, in 1956, there were 46,000 beef and dairy cattle.  

The county seat  

The county seat was first set to Davenport temporarily. However, the county had to conduct voting later to choose a viable county seat between the three cities, Davenport, Harrington, and Sprague. The exercise took place, but the number of votes cast was more than the county’s population. It was the first election on November 12, 1884. Sprague won the county seat and had the offices set in their city.  

As the towns sought to settle their battle for a permanent county seat, they held another election. In 1890, the election took place in Davenport. However, Sprague still took the seat leaving Davenport out. The fight for county seats is never to settle with three opposing cities.  

In the last face-off, Davenport took the county seat from Sprague by winning in the 1896 election. The county offices had to move to Davenport by the 14^th day in December 1896.  

The excitement saw Davenport supporters give a land measuring 215′ X250′, with a bonus to erect the courthouse. The courthouse still stands on the plot of land.  

Cities and towns 

There are three cities in Lincoln county; Davenport, Harrington, and Sprague. Also, Lincoln county has other towns like Odessa, Creston, Almira, Wilbur, and Reardan. Lincoln county plays home to some incorporated communities like Edwall, Irby, Lamona, and Lincoln. 

County offices 

One can find the Lincoln county offices in Davenport. The courthouse is the place where the county settles all legal matters.  

The Lincoln county clerk is in charge of keeping public records in the area. They must ensure that the public can acquire, retain, safeguard, and retrieve public records at any given time. The clerks are also in charge of the election process.  

Clerks follow regulations, local ordinances, laws, and charters. Go to their offices if you need any of the following.  

• Vital records like Birth certificates, death, and marriage certificates
• Public records
• Marriage licenses, applications, and records
• Divorce records and applications 
• Title deeds, mortgage, property, and lands records
• Business registrations, permits, and Lincoln county licenses

Lincoln county clerk’s offices are at 450 Logan Street, Davenport, Washington. You can reach them through 1-509-725-1401.  

Lincoln County Offices by Type