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AHistory
History · Lincoln

21% of Lincoln’s homes were built before 1940

More historic than 88% of U.S. towns · #19 of 38 in Rhode Island. What drives it

18 places in town are on the National Register, among them the Eleazer Arnold House, a National Historic Landmark, and six historic districts with 334 buildings between them. Below: 18 old photos and papers, maps from 1894 on, and the census since 1870.

18on the National Register
21%homes built before 1940
18old photos & papers
7famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Lincoln’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

About Lincoln’s history

How historic is Lincoln?

A

More historic than 88% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
History grade

What drives Lincoln’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Lincoln is more historic than 88% of U.S. towns, #19 of 38 in Rhode Island. All 2 inputs are above most U.S. towns; its National Register listings ranks highest and its share of homes from before 1940 lowest.

A
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Lincoln’s overall grade.
Founding eraNo founding year we can rely on, so the grade uses the other two–Homes built before 194021.1% of homes (±4.3) · typical RI town 20.1% · U.S. 8.4%B+National Register18 listings, 353 historic buildings, 154 per 10,000 residents · typical RI town 94.7 · U.S. 2.4A−
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 88%
NewerOlder
Rhode Island towns of 2,500+ (38)Ahead of 51%

Rhode Island towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Rhode Island town has 94.7 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Lincoln’s 154 sits near the middle of its state (61% of Rhode Island towns have fewer) while its 353 historic buildings outnumber those of 96% of U.S. towns.

How sure. Graded on two of the three inputs, so a change in either one moves the letter more than it would with three. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±4.3 points).

Founding year: our sources. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Lincoln’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A National Historic Landmark18 places on the National Register, including Eleazer Arnold House, a National Historic Landmark.A historic districtThe Albion Historic District takes in 122 historic buildings.Lost villages4 post offices opened and closed inside today’s Lincoln, and 8 old place names are still on the map.Shrank, then grewLost half of its people between 1890 and 1900, then more than doubled.
★ What stands out · On the National Register

18 listings protect 353 historic buildings

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving. One is a National Historic Landmark, the highest tier.

places listed
18
National Historic Landmark
1
Eleazer Arnold House
historic buildings protected
353
each building in a district counts
first listed
1968
Eleazer Arnold House
Israel Arnold HouseBlackstone CanalHearthsideLimerock Village Historic DistrictGreat Road Historic DistrictSaylesville MeetinghouseAlbion Historic DistrictBallou HouseElliot-Harris-Miner House, built 1710Jenckes HouseLime KilnsOld Ashton Historic DistrictPullen Corner SchoolSaylesville Historic DistrictJenckes HouseWhipple-Cullen House and BarnManville Company Worker Housing Historic DistrictEleazer Arnold House★
BuildingsDistrictsStructures★ landmark

Architectural styles listings

Greek Revival3
Federal2
Italianate2
Victorian1
Georgian Revival1
Victorian Gothic1
★ Landmark
Eleazer Arnold HouseBuilding
Israel Arnold HouseBuilding
Blackstone CanalStructure
HearthsideFederal
Limerock Village Historic DistrictGreek Revival
Great Road Historic DistrictItalianate
Saylesville MeetinghouseBuilding
Albion Historic DistrictDistrict
All 18 listings
Ballou HouseBuilding · listed 1984Elliot-Harris-Miner HouseBuilding · listed 1984Jenckes HouseBuilding · listed 1984Lime KilnsStructure · listed 1984Old Ashton Historic DistrictDistrict · listed 1984Pullen Corner SchoolBuilding · listed 1984Saylesville Historic DistrictDistrict · listed 1984Jenckes HouseBuilding · listed 1984Whipple-Cullen House and BarnBuilding · listed 1991Manville Company Worker Housing Historic DistrictDistrict · listed 2009

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

Places that used to be

Lost post offices, old corners, places now gone and burying grounds

Four other post offices opened and closed inside today’s town.

Lime Rock
1824–1912
Lonsdale
1838–1909
Albion
1847–today
Manville
1850–today
Ashton
1866–1965
Saylesville
1881–1910
18201920today
Hamlets and corners on the map
AlbionLime RockLonsdaleManvilleQuinnvilleSayles BleacherySaylesvilleSaylesville Highlands
Gone or out of use
Albion MilllocaleAshton Post Officepost officeConklin Limestone QuarrymineEleazar Arnold TavernbuildingManville MilllocalePullen Corner Schoolschool
18cemeteries and burying grounds inside Lincoln
Austin Thayer Gorton LotChrist ChurchEleazer ShermanFriends Burial GroundsHenry Jenckes LotJames Phetteplace LotJenckes - Manton LotJonathan Arnold LotJoshua Turner LotObadiah OlneyOld RiverSaint AmbroseSaint JamesSaint Mary's OrthodoxSaint Stephen's Ukrainian OrthodoxWhipple - Northup LotWhitaker - Mowry LotWright

US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

The story so far

Lincoln, in brief

Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Lincoln yet. The photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.

Lincoln is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,529 at the 2020 census. Lincoln is located in northeastern Rhode Island, north of Providence. Lincoln is part of the Providence metropolitan statistical area and the Greater Boston combined statistical area. Lincoln was settled in the 17th century as part of the Louisquisset grant, and several colonial stone-enders still exist in the town. Lincoln Woods State Park is located within the town. Limestone quarrying has occurred there since colonial times at the village of Lime Rock. Lincoln was a part of the town of Smithfield until 1871, when it was split off and named in honor of Abraham Lincoln. The ci…

Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew from 21,105 to 22,529 (+7%).

Intro from Wikipedia. Population: U.S. Census Bureau.

From the old history books

What they wrote about Lincoln, 1876–1891

Passages that mention Lincoln, cut from the printed page as they were published.

The result of these feelings was that petitions were drawn up in various parts of the town petitioning the legislature to set off portions of the town of Lincoln to adjacent towns, principally to set off the village of Central Falls to the town of Pawtucket, but they did not succeed. In the autumn …
History of Providence County, Rhode Island1891 · page 425Read the page →
Read the text

The result of these feelings was that petitions were drawn up in various parts of the town petitioning the legislature to set off portions of the town of Lincoln to adjacent towns, principally to set off the village of Central Falls to the town of Pawtucket, but they did not succeed. In the autumn of 1874 the question of dividing the town was revived in a new shape, and appeared in the form of petitions to set off a portion of the villages of Valley Falls, Lonsdale, Ashton and Albion to the town of Cumberland, of which notice was given to the

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Cumberland, of which notice was given to the Town Council on October 31st, 1874, that it would be presented at the ensuing January session of the Legislature; and also two petitions to set off a ]iortion of the town of Lincoln to the town of North Providence, of which the Town Clouncil was notitied…
Historical sketch of the town of Lincoln, in the state of Rhode Island1876 · page 15Read the page →
Read the text

Cumberland, of which notice was given to the Town Council on October 31st, 1874, that it would be presented at the ensuing January session of the Legislature; and also two petitions to set off a ]iortion of the town of Lincoln to the town of North Providence, of which the Town Clouncil was notitied on November "JSth. that they would be presented at the ensuing January session of the Legislature.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
The result of these feelings was that petitions were drawn up in various parts of the town, petitioning the legislature to set off portions of the town of Lincoln to adjacent towns, — principally to set off the village of Central Falls to the town of Pawtucket.
Historical sketch of the town of Lincoln, in the state of Rhode Island1876 · page 14Read the page →
Read the text

The result of these feelings was that petitions were drawn up in various parts of the town, petitioning the legislature to set off portions of the town of Lincoln to adjacent towns, — principally to set off the village of Central Falls to the town of Pawtucket.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Institution for Savings, of which his father was president. November 3d, 1886, he was elected treasurer, and has since held that office, with many others, viz.: treasurer of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Company, treasurer of the town of Lincoln, treasurer of the Central Falls Fire District, …
History of Providence County, Rhode Island1891 · page 468Read the page →
Read the text

Institution for Savings, of which his father was president. November 3d, 1886, he was elected treasurer, and has since held that office, with many others, viz.: treasurer of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Company, treasurer of the town of Lincoln, treasurer of the Central Falls Fire District, treasurer of Union School Districts 1 and 2, and in 1885-6 he represented the town of Lincoln in the general assembly.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.

Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Timeline

Lincoln, 1710 to 2020

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 18th century
  2. 1710BuiltElliot-Harris-Miner House is built
  3. 19th century
  4. 1824Post officeThe Lime Rock post office opens
  5. 1838Post officeThe Lonsdale post office opens
  6. 1847Post officeThe Albion post office opens
  7. 1876Born hereJames H. Higgins is born here
  8. 1891In the archiveUS-RI(1891) p778 SAYLESVILLE, SAYLES'S BLEACHERY
  9. 1894On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  10. 20th century
  11. 1904In the archiveSaylesville station, June 1904
  12. 1909Post officeThe Lonsdale post office closes
  13. 1910In the archiveDexter Lime Quarry 1910
  14. 1912Post officeThe Lime Rock post office closes
  15. 1926Born hereClem Labine is born here
  16. 1933In the archiveHistoric American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM …
  17. 1968LandmarkEleazer Arnold House named a National Historic Landmark
  18. 1978Born hereSarah MacLean is born here
  19. 1980Born hereBlake Filippi is born here
  20. 21st century
  21. 2020CensusPopulation peaks at 22,529
By decade

Lincoln, decade by decade

4 decades in the archive, from the 1890s to the 1930s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1890s–1930s18 items
US-RI(1891) p778 SAYLESVILLE, SAYLES'S BLEACHERY1891US-RI(1891) p778 SAYLESVILLE, SAYLES'S BLEACHERYSaylesville station, June 19041904Saylesville station, June 1904Dexter Lime Quarry 19101910Dexter Lime Quarry 1910Saylesville Schoolc. 1917Saylesville SchoolHistoric American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST. - Butterfly Fac…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE NORTHWEST. - Fireplace Hou…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTH. - Millstone, Barney…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHEAST - Croade Tavern,…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHEAST OF FIREPLACE. - …1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHEAST. - Benjamin Arno…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHEAST. - George Olney …1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHWEST. - Captain John …1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHWEST. - Fireplace Hou…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHWEST. - George Olney …1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE SOUTHWEST. - Masonic Templ…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillancourt, Photographer, 1941 VIEW FROM THE WEST OF DOORWAY. - George …1933Historic American Buildings Survey, George J. Vaillan…Historic American Buildings Survey, from an old print, date unknown VIEW FRO THE NORTHWEST. - Fireplace House, Entrance…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, from an old print…Historic American Buildings Survey, unknown photographer, about 1900, VIEW FROM THE SOUTH OF FRONT ENTRANCE. - Widow An…1933Historic American Buildings Survey, unknown photograp…
1940s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
On the map

Lincoln on the map, 1894 to 1998

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Lincoln. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Lincoln on the 1894 USGS mapLincoln on the 1938 USGS mapLincoln on the 1949 USGS mapLincoln on the 1970 USGS mapLincoln on the 1987 USGS mapLincoln on the 1998 USGS map1894Providence sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Lincoln.

Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

US-RI(1891) p778 SAYLESVILLE, SAYLES'S BLEACHERY
Retake this viewUS-RI(1891) p778 SAYLESVILLE, SAYLES'S BLEACHERY, 1891

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Lincoln’s page.

Retake this view · +15
People over time

Lincoln, census by census

05,00010,00015,00020,00025,0001880190019201940196019802000202020,355 in 1890Low: 8,937

Lost half of its people between 1890 and 1900, then more than doubled.

16 censuses, 1870–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Lincoln’s Wikipedia page.

Famous people

7 famous people were born in Lincoln

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
James H. HigginsAmerican governor of Rhode Island · b. 1876
Clem LabineAmerican baseball player · b. 1926
Blake FilippiAmerican politician · b. 1980
S
Sarah MacLeanAmerican writer · b. 1978
C
C.A.P. TurnerAmerican structural engineer · b. 1869
Felix A. ToupinAmerican politician · b. 1886
Help out

Finish Lincoln’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
3 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Retake an old viewUS-RI(1891) p778 SAYLESVILLE, SAYLES'S …: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

North Smithfield9 historic placesACumberland16 historic placesA−Valley Falls4 historic placesnot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townCumberland Hill2 historic placesnot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townSmithfield10 historic placesB+Central Falls13 historic placesA+North Providence9 historic placesB+

Questions about Lincoln’s history

How does Lincoln rank for history?

Lincoln is more historic than 88% of U.S. towns, #19 of 38 in Rhode Island. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

What is on the National Register in Lincoln?

18 listings: 10 buildings, among them the Eleazer Arnold House (a National Historic Landmark since 1968), 6 historic districts with 334 contributing buildings, and 2 structures. 353 historic buildings in all.

How old are the homes in Lincoln?

21% of Lincoln’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±4.3 points), against a typical 20% for a Rhode Island town; the median home was built in 1970.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (18), the National Register of Historic Places (18), Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.