Lincoln

Chartered in 1780, Lincoln occupies a mountain valley in Addison County between the main ridge of the Green Mountains and the lower hills to the west. The New Haven River flows through the town, and Lincoln Gap — one of the steepest and most dramatic mountain passes in Vermont — connects Lincoln to Warren on the eastern side of the range. The gap road, unpaved and seasonal, climbs to over 2,400 feet and is closed in winter.

Lincoln is home to about 1,300 residents and retains a strong sense of community centered around its village, which includes a general store, a school, and a town hall. The town's remote setting, accessible only by winding mountain roads, has preserved its rural character and attracted residents who value independence and natural beauty. Efforts to conserve the surrounding forestland have been a consistent priority for the community.

Local governance follows the selectboard and town meeting tradition. Lincoln's geographic isolation makes self-governance not just a tradition but a practical necessity — when the nearest larger town is a mountain pass away, a community learns to handle its own affairs.