Custer Lives!
Downtown Elizabethtown
There's so much to see and do in downtown Elizabethtown I can't possibly get it all listed here and in fairness to the content of this website much of it doesn't belong here. I'll try stick to the US Civil War, Indian Wars, and historical figures.
If you are a General George Armstrong Custer buff there are several sites to see. There is a Historical Marker in front of the Hardin County Courthouse telling of his being stationed here after the US Civil War. The Brown-Pusey House is one of the locations General Custer and his beautiful wife Libbie lived while here. There is a small museum there that contains several items related to General Custer. The State Theater stands on the lot where the US 7th Cavalry barracks formerly stood. The Hardin County Museum has a Custer section that's worth seeing. Don't be mislead by the fact Hardin County has a relatively small population. The museum is a fine example of a "small town" museum and has many fine exhibits that do an exemplary job of presenting the county's history. The staff there is second to none and were extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
For Civil War buffs, you will want to visit the Elizabethtown City Cemetery. Union and Confederate Soldiers are both buried there. Maps are available at the site along with a kiosk to assist in locating particular gravesites. There's also a cannon and displays about the site of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's 1862 Christmas time raid on the city. A plainly visible cannon ball from the battle is still lodged in a wall downtown.
Be sure and take the Self-Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour. It has twenty five sites but is easy walking and most of the sites are very close to each other. You'll see some great old buildings and get a great local history lesson. A guide picked up at the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau on the way into town does a really nice job of explaining the tour. If at all possible attend the Costumed Historic Walking Tour on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. It's a very professionally done production that's fun for all ages and quite educational. I enjoyed it so much I went twice in 2009. General Custer even makes an appearance!
There's a Historic Driving Tour of Elizabethtown that also showcases some beautiful buildings and provides a fine local history lesson. On my next visit I plan to do the tour again, but this time on a bicycle so I can get a better look. There are some truly beautiful historic homes on the tour. Again, a guide picked up at the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau on the way into town does a really nice job of explaining the tour.
While not really a "history" site but certainly worth visiting is the Schmidtt Museum of Coca-Cola. It has over 10,000 square feet of exhibits and is the world's largest collection of Coke memorabilia. You'll find hundreds of things you'll remember and hundreds you've never seen. It's amazing to trace how Coke has mirrored American history. There's a good museum store and a 1950's Soda Shop where I had a nickel Coke and a hot dog.
President Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas, was a resident. You can visit the site of where his wedding to Sarah Bush Johnston took place. Thomas Lincoln also made a cabinet that is on display in the Brown-Pusey House. You can also see the spot where seven year old Abe Lincoln crossed the river on his way to Indiana in 1816.
There's a lot of good local restaurants to eat at. One of the things I enjoy most on vacation is eating at local restaurants to get a taste of local cuisine. Take a break from chains and treat yourself to some fine local food and friendly townsfolk. You won't be sorry.
As I alluded to earlier, there's so much packed into this small town I couldn't possibly put it all here. Just come and visit for a great inexpensive get away.
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This sign is posted in front of the Hardin County Court House. |
The Hardin County Museum. |
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The US 7th Cavalry barracks used to occupy this ground. |
Samuel Haycraft built one of the first homes outside of Haycraft Fort here. |
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Seven year old Abe Lincoln crossed here in 1816 on his way to Indiana. |
The historic Brown-Pusey House where George and Libbie Custer resided. |
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A row of Confederate States of America graves. |
One of the Coca-Cola Museum displays. |
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The wedding site of Thomas Lincoln and Sarah Bush Johnston. |
A cannonball from Morgan's Raid rests in this wall. |
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