IN LINCOLN County, record-keeping is more than just a bureaucratic task — it’s a cornerstone of preserving community heritage. From courthouse ledgers to family archives, each record tells a story of the people, places, and events that have shaped the county. These documents provide important insight into landownership, civic decisions, and everyday life, helping the county’s historians, genealogists, and future residents understand the region’s evolution.
Preserving these materials isn’t just about looking back but building a bridge between generations. By prioritizing accessible, organized, and protected records, Lincoln County strengthens its identity and ensures that the stories woven into its fabric are never lost to time.
A HOME FOR HISTORY
Lincoln County Register of Deeds Randy Delap understands the importance of keeping records. Since 2002, Delap has been the Register of Deeds and has worked tirelessly with a devoted crew to ensure that all that takes place in Lincoln County is documented and stored for years to come.
“Every Tennessee county is required to have a Records Commission, and Lincoln County’s is made up of the Register of Deeds, County Clerk, General Sessions Judge, a commissioner, the IT director, county historian, and a genealogist,” explained Delap. “Together, they’re responsible for overseeing records from every county office — from tax documents to court files. Some are permanent and others can be destroyed after a set time, but once an office hands them off, the commission takes over.”
Record collecting began in the early 1800s, which, of course, accounted for quite a number of records. Over the years, finding a space to store everything properly was something that Delap said was a “challenge.”
Delap stated that for years, documents were stored in the basement of the courthouse. The county recognized the need for a better solution and acquired the old National Guard armory. According to Delap, the building became the local health department, with a portion of it made into archives.
However, over time, Delap explained that space in the newer facility also became an issue. That’s when the solution of the old Market Street School and the old police station came into play.
“The county had wound up with the old Market Street School down on Market Street,” said Delap. “We had a storm come through that damaged the roof, so we had insurance put on a new one. The county then decided to remodel that and turn the building into archives and records storage.”
Delap added that they were also able to welcome the Lincoln County Genealogy Society, which would also be housed out of the newly renovated building.
“The Lincoln County Genealogy Society had a building out on West Washington [Street],” he said. Their organization started back in the ’70s, and they were an accumulation of family histories and all types of information to do with Lincoln County and the surrounding counties. The society’s membership had gotten older and was down to just a few members. They said if we stored their records, they would donate them to us. We agreed. What they donated was an absolute treasure trove of information.”
A TREASURE TROVE FOR LINCOLN COUNTY’S HISTORY
Delap said the renovated building features 5,000 square feet on each floor. Upstairs is secure storage for county records, organized in wire-caged sections. Downstairs, two climate-controlled, fire-suppressed rooms protect the archives and genealogy materials.
The fire system uses oxygen reduction instead of water to prevent damage in an emergency, which is vital for preserving irreplaceable documents.
The facility had its grand opening to the public in May. The facility drew praise from the Tennessee State Library and Archives, who were amazed by what Lincoln County had managed to accomplish.
“They were really impressed with what we had been able to do,” said Delap. “They asked us how in the world we were able to do all this. It wasn’t easy, and it took years of planning, advocating, and working with the commission to get it funded, but now the county has a state-of-the-art facility.”
The facility is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is staffed by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
“We have co-archivists Byron Carter and Nancy Harris,” he said. “Then there is Dora Whisenant. She was with the genealogy society and does a lot of work helping people find connections with Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. We’ve also got a great group of volunteers, and they just love to help find that needle in a haystack.”
Delap said that volunteers are always welcome and can sign up by stopping by and talking to one of the staff members. They also welcome high school students who are looking to complete Tennessee Promise hours.
Delap added that the county has been vigilant in preserving its history over the last two centuries, and they will continue to work diligently to preserve the past in a way that will benefit Lincoln County in the future.
“We’ve been fortunate in Lincoln County to maintain a strong record-keeping over the years. History can’t be changed, which is why it’s so important to document events accurately. Preserving good records ensures future generations can understand what happened and why.” GN
The Lincoln County Archives and Genealogy Department is located at 308 W. College St. in Fayetteville and can be reached by calling (931) 438-1579.
