Lincoln County is named for Benjamin Lincoln, who was a major general during the American Revolutionary War who participated in the Siege of Yorktown and who lived from 1733 to 1810.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Catawba County
E – Iredell County and Mecklenburg County
S – Gaston County
W – Cleveland County and Burke County
Created: April 14, 1778 
County Seat:
Tyrone Courthouse 1779 – 1785
Lincolnton 1785 – present
County Courthouse – Lincolnton
Location: 1 Courthouse Square / West Main Street
Built: 1921 – 1922
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: James A Salter
Contractor: Henry Kistler
Description: The building faces east and is a three story gray colored cut-stone masonry and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on the landscaped grounds of the courthouse circle in the center of Lincolnton. The building has a large portico on the east and west sides, supported by six large Doric columns rising to a pediment. A higher roof is behind and wings extend north and south. A projecting cornice runs between the second and third stories. In the interior, there is a cross hall plan with octagonal intersection, marble floors and baseboards and classical light fixtures on the first story. A dentil crown mold, bundled bay leaf bands and paneled pilasters with acanthus and palmette capitals decorate the halls, The courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 27th Judicial District.The building was remodeled in 1985.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Lincoln County Courthouse
New County Courthouse – Lincolnton
Location: Gamble Drive / Lincoln Medical Park
Built: 2020 – 2022
Style: Modern
Architect: Moseley Architects
Contractor: Barnhill Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds on the east side of the center of Lincolnton.
See: The 27th Judicial District includes Cleveland County and Gaston County.
History: The county was created in 1779 and Tyrone Courthouse was selected as the county seat. The first court met in 1783 at the home of Christian Mauney nine miles from Lincolnton. In 1784, another private home was used. The county seat was moved to Lincolnton in 1785 and the first courthouse, a log structure was built. The second courthouse was a frame structure built in 1788. The third courthouse was built in 1810 and the former courthouse became a residence. The fourth courthouse was a brick and stone structure built in 1853 and demolished in 1921. The fifth courthouse was constructed in 1921 to 1923. The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 2020 to 2022 at a cost of $40,000,000.
County Courthouse – Lincolnton
Photos taken 2008 and 2012