Valley Creek Baptist Church Springfield Rd

HISTORY OF ELIZABETHTOWN
Elizabethtown, Kentucky is a city in Hardin County, situated in the central part of the state. It was
established in 1793 and named after Elizabeth Hynes, the wife of Colonel Andrew Hynes, who was a
settler in the area. The land where Elizabethtown was founded was originally part of a large parcel of
land granted by the state of Virginia to the Marquis de Lafayette in recognition of his service during the
American Revolution.
In the early days of Elizabethtown, it was a small trading center for local farmers, and the town grew
slowly. However, the establishment of a post office in 1800 helped to increase its importance as a
commercial hub. The town's location on the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike also made it an
important stop for travelers heading west.
During the Civil War, Elizabethtown played a strategic role due to its location on the major roads
leading to both Nashville and Louisville. In 1862, Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops
occupied the city for a short time, using it as a base of operations during their invasion of Kentucky.
Union troops eventually retook the city, and it was not until the end of the war that the town fully
recovered.
Throughout the 20th century, Elizabethtown continued to grow and prosper. The establishment of Fort
Knox, a large military base nearby, brought many jobs to the area and helped to spur development.
Today, Elizabethtown is a thriving community. Its location along Interstate 65 makes it a popular stop
for travelers, and the city is home to a number of businesses and industries, including healthcare,
manufacturing, and education. There are also many cultural and recreational opportunities in the area,
including the summer concert series at Freeman Lake Park, organized sports, and the Heartland
Festival. The City Seal, with the inscription "Elizabethtown, Strong and Growing Since 1779" still rings
true today.
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