The beginnings of Lipno date back to the early Middle Ages, when most probably a defensive grad on a small hill was situated. Władysław the duke of Łęczyca in Dobrzyń established the town on the Law of Chełmno. Władysław Jagiełło relocated the city in 1422.

Because of its location on the frontier, the town was frequently invaded and destroyed. The development of the town came only after the political stabilization in the 15th century. From the end of the 15th century, Lipno became a place, where the Sejmik from all of the Dobrzyń Land gathered. Its status was finally confirmed by the Constitution of the Sejm of 1567. In 1563, the Noble Extraordinary Court was also established in the town. Sovereigns granted privileges to the town in the years: 1505, 1519, 1785 and 1790. The town became an important local centre of craft industry.

Wars of the 17th century brought the destruction and depopulation of the town. Because of proximity of the new cities - Skępo and Radziki Wielkie in the 18th century, the rebuilding of Lipno was hampered. Until its annexing into Prussia, it was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, the Dobrzyń Land.

In 1793, during the Second Partition, it became a part of South Prussia (later New East Prussia), Department of Płock. At the end of the 18th century, evangelical craftsmen from Germany began to settle there and established several cloth workshops. In the period between 1807 and 1815, the town was incorporated into the Duchy of Warsaw and in 1815 it became part of the Kingdom of Poland under Russian partition Płockie Province (since 1837 Płock Governorate). Lipno was the capital of the county at that time. In 1843, near the Old City of Lipsko the New City developed and became and important production, trade and service centre. In the second half of the 19th century, the first big industrial plants were established in Lipno and the neighbouring area. In 1881 there were: 4 tanneries, 2 soap factories, a brewery and a vinegar factory.

In 1918, Lipno found itself in independent Poland, still as a capital of the county, at first in the Warsaw Province (1918-1938) and then in the Pomeranian Province (1938-1939). In 1937, Lipno gained a railway connection to Toruń and Nasielsk.

During the German occupation in World War II, Lipno was incorporated into Germany (Third Reich), in the Danzing Province – West Prussia, Bydgoszcz Regierungsbezirk, the county of Lipno. After 1945, the town became a part of Bydgoszcz Province (Pomeranian Province in years 1945-1950). After World War II, the town gradually developed. New housing estates appeared and new branches of food, electrical-mechanical, building materials, typographic, and shoes industries started to operate. Lech Wałęsa, who came from neighbouring Popów, was educated in Lipno.

Between 1975 and 1998, the town was a part of Włocławskie Province. In 1999, it once again became the capital of the county, this time in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province.

Bibliography

Z. Góźdź, Lipno. Zarys dziejów, Lipno (1991).