Elizabethtown in Hardin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Early Settlers

1779-1800

— Elizabeth Hynes —

Early Settlers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 27, 2025

1. Early Settlers Marker

Inscription. Andrew Hynes donated the land for the county seat. It was then named for his wife.
Artist: William Ronald Frye 2009

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1779.

Location. 37° 41.639′ N, 85° 51.594′ W. Marker is in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in Hardin County. It is on West Dixie Avenue (U.S. 31W) west of Mulberry Street (U.S. 62), on the left when traveling west. The marker is along the side walk next to Elizabethtown City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown KY 42701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lincoln (here, next to this marker); Civil War (here, next to this marker); Post Civil War (a few steps from this marker); Education (a few steps from this marker); Medicine (a few steps from this marker); Industry (a few steps from this marker); Kentucky Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Historic Post Office Building (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethtown.

More about this marker. The marker is a part of a series of banners depicting historical events related to Elizabethtown and Hardin County

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History of Elizabethtown. Published by the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau

Elizabethtown, Ky. began quietly on July 4, 1797 when Revolutionary War veteran, Andrew Hynes, gave a 30-acre tract of land to Hardin County leaders.

Hyndes and others who settled in the area almost 20 years earlier had been vying with another settlement near Hodgenville to become the county seat and land the potential development that might follow. Though the county had already built a small courthouse near what later would become downtown, Hynes's gift solidified the area's position.

In appreciation, the new city was named in honor of Hynes's wife, Elizabeth.

(Submitted on April 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Early Settlers Marker looking towards City Hall entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 27, 2025

2. Early Settlers Marker looking towards City Hall entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.