It wasn’t too long ago that the population of the quiet little city of Lincoln, resting at the base of the foothills of the Sierras in lower Placer County, California, was a little over 17,000. But in early 2006, Lincoln’s population reached over 33,000 reflecting the City’s march forward on its “smart growth” plan.

Lincoln was named after Charles Lincoln Wilson, a transportation executive and the builder of the California Central Railroad. The first settlement in Lincoln was made in 1859 by John Chapman, G. Gray, John Ziegenbein, and E. A. Gibson. In 1862 and 1863, Lincoln became very pros¬perous and had a population between 400-and 500.

Lincoln is the home of one of Placer County's oldest businesses, the Gladding McBean terra cotta clay manufacturing plant, established in 1875, after Chicago resident Charles Gladding learned of a very large layer of clay near Lincoln. The plant is still in operation manufacturing primarily clay pipe used for city infrastructure.

Historic Lincoln

The Historic Downtown District stretches from First Street to Seventh Street between G and E Streets, and is renowned for its friendly merchants and small-town charm. With charming buildings and new businesses popping up all the time, be sure to make it a habit to come to Historic Downtown Lincoln.

Click on “Stop, Shop, and Celebrate” for a map of historic Lincoln and its businesses.