You’ll discover South Lincoln’s transformation from a bustling 1880s lumber settlement to an atmospheric ghost town in Vermont’s mountains. Founded through Colonel Benjamin Simonds’ 1780 charter, this abandoned community once supported 15 lumber mills and 100 workers before economic shifts led to its decline. Today, you can explore deteriorating 19th-century structures, overgrown carriage roads, and stone foundations while learning about the area’s rich Abenaki heritage and unexplained legends.
Key Takeaways
- South Lincoln was a thriving 1880s Vermont community with 15 lumber mills and 100 workers before economic decline led to abandonment.
- The ghost town features deteriorating 19th-century buildings, collapsed roofs, and ruins being reclaimed by northern hardwoods and conifers.
- Former residential areas have transformed into wildlife sanctuaries, hosting black bears, bobcats, deer, and various other species.
- Historic carriage roads connect abandoned homesteads, with hidden artifacts and century-old books remaining beneath building foundations.
- The area attracts preservationists and paranormal enthusiasts, combining Abenaki folklore with documented ghost stories and unexplained disappearances.
The Rise and Fall of a Mountain Settlement
While many Vermont settlements flourished in the late 18th century, South Lincoln’s story began with Colonel Benjamin Simonds’ 1780 charter of Lincoln, named after Revolutionary War hero Major General Benjamin Lincoln.
You’ll find remarkable community resilience in those early days, as Quaker settlers carved out homesteads from the rugged terrain near Mount Abraham, establishing thriving communities like Quaker Stand and Mud Flat. The area saw its first Quaker families arrive in 1795 at Quaker. Settlers endured great hardship while carrying their heavy loads of supplies across long distances through dense forest.
South Lincoln emerged as a bustling settlement following territorial expansions that added over 9,000 acres to Lincoln proper. The town peaked in the 1880s with 15 lumber mills employing 100 men, while dairy farms and potato fields dotted the landscape.
South Lincoln’s golden age brought bustling mills and pastoral abundance, transforming a mountain town into a thriving economic center.
But dramatic economic shifts struck hard – Midwest competition crushed local agriculture, deforestation depleted timber resources, and South Lincoln’s mountain isolation proved challenging in an increasingly connected world.
Legends of Lincoln Gap’s Ancient Guardians
Beyond the abandoned settlements of South Lincoln lies Lincoln Gap, a place steeped in Abenaki spiritual significance as the domain of their deity Gluskabe, known as “The Owner.”
The Abenaki people used dried sumac leaves in their sacred ceremonies before traveling through these mystical mountains. They deliberately avoided settling these mountains not out of fear but deep reverence, choosing instead to establish communities in the fertile valleys below. The Abenaki maintained long house villages along Lake Champlain until 1940.
Local Abenaki folklore speaks of guardian spirits that still protect this sacred wilderness.
If you venture into these woods, you might encounter:
- Shadowy figures of an ancient hunting party moving at impossible speeds
- The scent of phantom campfires that dance with the wind
- Mysterious eyes watching from the dense forest
- Unexplained phenomena that seem to ward off disrespectful visitors
These enduring stories reflect the spiritual bond between the Abenaki people and their ancestral lands.
Forgotten Buildings and Hidden Pathways
Deep within the reclaimed wilderness of South Lincoln, you’ll discover a haunting collection of early 19th-century buildings slowly surrendering to nature’s embrace.
Similar to the Walloomsac Inn, these structures are steadily deteriorating with time.
Architectural decay marks these forgotten structures, where broken windows and collapsing roofs expose weathered interiors to the elements. Like many structures documented by Preservation in Pink, these buildings risk being lost to time without proper documentation and care. You’ll find hidden treasures beneath ancient floorboards – century-old books and artifacts that tell tales of past lives.
Follow the old carriage roads that wind through hills and valleys, connecting these abandoned homesteads to what were once bustling trade routes.
Though heavily overgrown now, these paths still lead to concealed barns filled with rusted farm equipment and mysterious doorways.
Creeping vines and persistent vegetation increasingly claim these remnants, creating a ghostly landscape where human history and wild nature intertwine in haunting harmony.
Natural Reclamation of a Lost Community
You’ll find nature’s relentless force on full display in South Lincoln, where northern hardwoods and conifers have steadily consumed the abandoned buildings and farm fields.
Wildlife, from black bears to bobcats, now freely roam the spaces where homes once stood, while seasonal streams and newly formed wetlands transform old foundations into thriving aquatic habitats. Similar to Lake Bomoseen’s ghost town, the area stands as a haunting reminder of a once-thriving community now reclaimed by nature.
Like Vermont’s other ghost towns affected by the rough terrain, South Lincoln’s buildings struggled against the harsh environment and limited growing seasons.
The town’s wooden structures continue to decompose beneath Vermont’s humid continental climate, creating rich habitats for forest organisms as they merge back into the landscape.
Forest Consumes Pioneer Ruins
As untamed forest steadily reclaims the abandoned settlement of South Lincoln, Vermont, nature’s relentless process transforms pioneer ruins into an increasingly wild landscape.
You’ll witness forest encroachment overwhelming the remnants of 18th-century life, where architectural decay accelerates with each passing season. The abandoned graveyard stands as a lone testament to the community that once thrived here. Like the nearby Grout House, eerie shadows dance through the deteriorating structures at dusk.
Nature’s conquest of South Lincoln unfolds before your eyes in four distinct stages:
- Wind-scattered seeds sprout through floorboards and foundation cracks
- Young trees and undergrowth engulf deteriorating wooden structures
- Root systems fragment remaining masonry and stone foundations
- Forest canopy closes overhead, completing the absorption of human traces
Vermont’s harsh climate hastens this transformation through freeze-thaw cycles, while fallen leaves, snow loads, and moisture feed the decomposition process, erasing nearly two centuries of pioneer history beneath the advancing wilderness.
Wildlife Reclaims Town Remains
While pioneer-built structures crumble into the Vermont earth, South Lincoln’s ghost town has transformed into a thriving wildlife sanctuary.
You’ll find white-tailed deer wandering through expanding forests where farmland once dominated, while foxes and coyotes patrol the quiet ruins in search of abundant prey.
The town’s abandoned buildings now serve as nature’s apartment complex.
Raccoons and squirrels have claimed the deteriorating structures as their homes, while owls and woodpeckers nest in the surrounding dead trees.
You can spot evidence of wildlife interactions everywhere – from beaver dams reshaping nearby waterways to the tracks of bobcats prowling at dusk.
This remarkable ecological restoration showcases nature’s resilience, as native plants and animals reclaim what was once theirs, creating a complex web of life among the remnants of human settlement.
Exploring Vermont’s Abandoned Places
Throughout Vermont’s landscape, abandoned places tell stories of forgotten communities and industrial decline, from the haunting remains of Glastenbury’s lumber town to the deteriorating Almeron Goodell Farmhouse in Ricker Basin.
The state’s abandoned architecture offers unique opportunities for urban exploration, though safety and legal considerations must guide your adventures.
Vermont’s abandoned places beckon urban explorers, but tread carefully – both safety hazards and legal boundaries define these historic spaces.
When exploring Vermont’s forgotten places, you’ll encounter:
- The moss-covered ruins of the Almeron Goodell Farm, with its broken windows and graffiti-marked walls
- Scattered remnants of Glastenbury’s once-bustling lumber town along the mountain
- The imposing Chemco Building in Bellows Falls, a symbol of industrial history
- Historic cemeteries like Ricker Cemetery, where weathered headstones chronicle past lives
Exercise caution when visiting these sites, as structural instability and legal restrictions often limit access to these atmospheric locations.
Preserving South Lincoln’s Haunted Heritage
Since its decline in the late 18th century, South Lincoln’s ghostly remnants have drawn heritage preservationists and paranormal enthusiasts alike to this haunting slice of Vermont history.
You’ll find carefully maintained carriage roads and stone foundations that tell the story of early settlers, including Colonel Benjamin Simonds and the mysterious tales that followed.
Local preservationists face unique challenges as they work to protect this atmospheric site. Vermont’s harsh weather batters the remaining structures, while Lincoln Gap’s steep terrain makes access difficult.
Yet despite these preservation challenges, the town’s rich ghostly folklore lives on through documented oral histories and interpretive programs.
You can explore the blended narratives of Abenaki spirits, unexplained disappearances, and historical facts that make South Lincoln a compelling destination for those seeking authentic haunted heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Documented Deaths or Accidents in South Lincoln’s Ghost Town?
While you’ll hear whispers of mysterious disappearances and local legends, there aren’t any officially documented deaths or accidents within South Lincoln’s ghost town itself, though nearby regions have darker histories.
What Happened to the Original Town Records and Documents?
You’ll find most original town records didn’t survive due to poor historical preservation efforts. When administrative functions ceased, missing archives became commonplace as documents were lost to abandonment, weather damage, and neglect.
When Was the Last Permanent Resident Known to Live There?
You can’t pinpoint the exact last resident, but town decline accelerated through the 1960s, with all permanent residents likely gone by 1968 when the post office closed its doors forever.
Can Visitors Legally Access and Explore the Ghost Town Ruins?
Like many historic ruins, you’ll need landowner permission first since there aren’t clear public access rights. Check with Lincoln’s town office for current visitor regulations before attempting ghost town exploration.
Have Any Archaeological Studies or Excavations Been Conducted in South Lincoln?
You won’t find documented archaeological findings or formal excavation techniques applied here – there aren’t any published records of professional archaeological studies conducted specifically in this location’s remaining ruins.
References
- https://www.lincolnvthistory.org/lincoln-vt-history
- https://obscurevermont.com/tag/lincoln-gap/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScW-H7A8yL8
- https://vermontvacation.com/haunted-vt/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Vermont
- https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vermont/AddisonLincoln.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln
- https://www.lincolnlibraryvt.com/history.html
- https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35573/35573-h/35573-h.htm
- https://www.historicnorthampton.org/ntn.html
