Elizabethtown, Kentucky
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HISTORY
The first settlement at Elizabethtown began in 1779 when three early settlers, Captain Thomas Helm, Colonel Andrew Hynes, and Colonel Samuel Haycraft, built three forts to use as defense against the Native Americans. Because there were no other settlements in the area, the community quickly grew. In 1793, Colonel Hynes had thirty acres of land divided into lots and streets. The town was legally established in 1797, named after the colonel's wife.

In the early nineteenth century, Thomas Lincoln and his wife, Nancy, made their home in a log cabin in Elizabethtown. Their son, Abraham Lincoln, was born at Sinking Springs Farm, only a few miles out of town. After leaving the state for a short time, the family returned after Nancy's death in 1818. Thomas's second wife was a resident of Elizabethtown and she had the privilege of raising Abraham.

In 1850, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company was granted a charter to build a railroad. Elizabethtown became one of the most important stops on the new railroad and the town continue to grow for the next decade. During the Civil War, Confederate General John Morgan captured Elizabethtown, in an attempt to disrupt the railroad. During the battle, over 100 cannon balls were fired into town, one of which can still be seen lodged in a building downtown.

The town also served as the home of General George Armstrong Custer and his Seventh Calvary. He was stationed in Elizabethtown from 1871 to 1873 to quell the multitude of illegal activities that had begun after the end of the Civil War. His former home was located behind a local boarding house, now known as the Brown-Pusey House.

INTERESTING FACTS
Elizabethtown is located in a dry county (Hardin). However, it is commonly referred to as being "moist" because drink sales are allowed in restaurants that serve more than 100 people.

The movie "Elizabethtown," made in 2005 and starring Kirstin Dunst and Orlando Bloom, was named after the town, although it was mostly filmed in Louisville and Versailles.

Elizabethtown has one sister city: Kori, Fukushima, Japan.

SCHOOLS
Elizabethtown Independent Schools - View the website!
Elizabethtown High School
T.K. Stone Middle School
Morningside Elementary School
Helmwood Heights Elementary School
Valley View Educational Center