Lincoln County

Trails to the Past of Nevada is accepting any donations of genealogy materials that you may have such as marriage announcements, news articles, old obituaries, births, (you do not need the birth certificate) just the information, and biographies.  If you have any of these items please contact me Marie Miller the Nevada State Administrator.

Lincoln County was established in 1866 after Congress enlarged Nevada by moving its state line eastward and southward at the expense of Utah and Arizona territories. It is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Original legislation called for the creation of a "Stewart County", after Nevada Senator William M. Stewart, but this was later changed in a substitute bill. Crystal Springs was the county's first seat in 1866, followed by Hiko in 1867, and Pioche in 1871.
Lincoln County initially included a ranch village and railroad siding named Las Vegas. However the future city was separated from Lincoln County upon the founding of Clark County effective July 1, 1909, by act of the Nevada Legislature.

The first modern settlement of the area occurred in 1864 with the opening of a silver mine. The settlers abandoned the area when local Indian tribes launched a series of raids and massacres. Recolonization launched in 1868, after this was stopped and François Pioche bought the town in 1869. By the early 1870s, it had grown to become one of the most important silver-mining towns in Nevada. Because of the remoteness which had allowed the Indian raids to occur, the town had a reputation for being one of the roughest towns in the Old West. Local lore says 72 men were killed in gunfights before the first natural death occurred in the camp. This legend is immortalized by the creation of Boot Hill, now a landmark in the city.

On Line Data

City Caliente Census-designated places Alamo Beaverdam Bennett Springs Dry Valley Hiko Mount Wilson Panaca Pioche (county seat) Rachel Ursine Unincorporated communities Ash Springs Barclay Carp Coyote Springs Crestline Etna Pony Springs Ghost towns Crystal Springs Elgin Fay

Adjacent counties
White Pine County - north
Millard County, Utah - northeast
Beaver County, Utah - east
Iron County, Utah - east
Washington County, Utah - east
Mohave County, Arizona - southeast
Clark County, Nevada - south
Nye County, Nevada - west

Webspace has been generously provided by Genealogy Village and Access Genealogy Thank You!