Lincoln
Like many other foothills towns, Lincoln was founded as a railroad town in 1859. Originally planned as a stop along the new California Central Railway that was to run between Sacramento and Marysville, it unexpectedly became the terminus of the line when construction funds ran out. It quickly became a bustling community, but when the line secured more funding and the track was completed several years later, the jobs moved on too.
In 1870 a clay deposit was discovered nearby and Lincoln became the hub of a new industry - ceramics. Gladding, McBean & Co built a factory in town and quickly became one of the most important suppliers of materials in the rapidly growing state. It remains as one of the oldest companies in California, and is still in operation today.
While the outskirts have been built up into a modern suburb of Sacramento, the downtown still retains its original railroad town charm.
