Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,876, making it the fifth-least populous county in the state. The county seat and largest city is Davenport. Lincoln County was created from Whitman County in November 1883. It is named for Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.
History
In 1883, Lincoln County was created from a portion of Spokane County, and four days later a portion of its area was split to create Douglas County. There have been no further alterations to its boundary since that time. Its 2,317 square miles make it the eighth-largest by area in the state.
Centuries ago, the area now covered by Lincoln County contained an east–west passageway used by indigenous peoples. A spring near the present-day Davenport created a large overnight camping place.
The early exploration of the Northwest Territory by Lewis and Clark did not reach as far north as the Lincoln County expanses. The first recorded entry by European explorers was of David Thompson, a scout for the North West Company, who traversed the area in 1811. He noted physical locations in present-day Lincoln County. He described Hell Gate Rapid (calling it 'Strong Rapid'). That stretch of the Columbia River is now tame, because of the presence of Grand Coulee Dam.
Geographic features
- Channeled Scablands
- Columbia River
- Crab Creek
- Lilienthal Mountain, county high point
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 90
- 20px U.S. Route 2
- 23px U.S. Route 395
Adjacent counties
- Okanogan County – northwest
- Ferry County – north
- Stevens County – northeast
- Spokane County – east
- Whitman County – southeast
- Adams County – south
- Grant County – west
National protected area
- Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (part)