The new county was named after General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810), a Revolutionary War hero notable for receiving Gen. Cornwallis's sword at Yorktown, Virginia.

[citation needed] From before the American Revolutionary War until the 1950s, Lincoln County was primarily a farming and agricultural area.

The development and creation of Clarks Hill Dam created a large reservoir that covered portions of Lincoln and nearby counties.

It is a main destination for tourists, providing fishing, boating, and other water sports opportunities for visitors and nearby residents.

Toward the eastern part of Lincoln County, just before the South Carolina line, is Elijah Clarke State Park.

Several well-known bluegrass musicians play at this event each year, including Lincoln County natives, The Lewis Family.