Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Elizabethtown (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Brown-Pusey House, First Baptist Church, and Benjamin Helm House. Also, be sure to include Embry Chapel Church in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Elizabethtown (Kentucky).
Table of Contents
Brown-Pusey House
Building. The Brown Pusey House, now the Brown Pusey House Community Center, is a historic home built by John Y. Hill at 128 N. Maine St. in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. It was built in 1825 and includes Georgian and Federal architecture. It has also been known as Hill House and as Aunt Beck's. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974; the listing includes just one contributing building but a 9.9-acre area. It has served as a hotel.
The house is named for William A. Pusey and his brother Alfred Brown Pusey, who restored it in the 1920s and donated it to the community.[1]
Address: 128 N Main St, 42701-1415 Elizabethtown
First Baptist Church
Baptist church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The First Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, originally known as Severn's Valley Baptist Church, is a historic church at 112 W. Poplar Street. It was built in 1855 and was a work of John Y. Hill, a tailor turned carpenter/builder. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
It is 42 by 55 feet (13 m × 17 m) in plan, built of handmade brick. Its pointed arch entrance is sided by brick pilasters.[2]
Benjamin Helm House
The Benjamin Helm House is a two-story brick house in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, that was built in 1816 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It is significant as the home of Benjamin Helm, an early settler of Elizabethtown. He made the first survey of the town and later became a wealthy local businessman, dying in 1858. He was the uncle of Governor John L. Helm, and great uncle of Confederate general Benjamin Hardin Helm.
The house was originally built in the Federal style. Two wings were removed and several additions added such that the house itself is no longer architecturally significant.[3]
Address: 238 Helm Avenue, Elizabethtown
Embry Chapel Church
The Embry Chapel Church, at 117 Mulberry St. in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was built in 1868 to serve the Second Presbyterian Church, and was sold in 1891 to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation which had formed in 1865. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
It is a one-story brick church built with Romanesque Revival style. It has a square bell tower rising from the center of its front facade, with the original arched entrance and brick corbels. Stained glass windows are recessed in brick bays separated by pilasters. There is a c.1970 one-story frame addition at the rear.[4]
American Legion Water Park
Outdoor activities, Park, Relax in park
Address: 801 N Miles St, 42701 Elizabethtown
J. Roy Bond House
The J. Roy Bond House, at 317 College St. in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a historic Craftsman-style house built in 1914. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
It is a two-story frame and stucco house with a jerkinhead-roofed one-story front porch. It was designed by Louisville, Kentucky architect W. Earl Gore and was built by real estate developer J. Roy Bond.
It was deemed "significant as the finest example of the Craftsman style in Elizabethtown. The house displays typical Craftsman detailing on the exterior such as exposed half-timbering and the use of stucco, stone and frame siding. The interior is also notable with exposed beams, Craftsman style light fixtures, window seats and decorative brick fireplaces."[5]
Morrison Lodge
Morrison Lodge, at 125 N. Mulberry St. in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a historic Arts and Crafts-style Masonic building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
It is a three-story brick building built in 1913 on a stone foundation. It has a "hipped and monitor roof". Its eaves are supported by large paired brackets.
It was deemed "notable for its association with the Morrison Lodge, No. 76 F&AM and its architectural character. Morrison Lodge was chartered on August 26, 1823 and was one of the first chartered Masonic lodges in Kentucky. Early masters of the Masonic Lodge included Benjamin Helm and Governor John L. Helm... The building is Hardin County's best example of the commercial Arts and Crafts style and has retained its original detailing. Notable details include the large eave brackets, monitor roof and stained glass at the doorway windows. The building has not been altered since its construction and displays its original character."[6]
Swope's Cars of Yesteryear
Specialty museum, Museum
Address: 1100 N Dixie Ave, 42701-2534 Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown Armory
The Elizabethtown Armory, at 205 Warfield St. in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was built in 1948. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
It is a two-story yellow brick Modern Movement-style building with a two-story five-bay central block and one-story wings.
It was deemed significant "because of its association with the National Guard in Elizabethtown, and for its use as a community center for the citizens of the city. Besides its military duties, the armory has served as a community center for Elizabethtown. The Guard used to hold an annual bean soup dinner at the armory, and wrestling matches, basketball games, trade shows, and wedding receptions all take place in the armory drill hall."[7]
Elizabethtown Courthouse Square and Commercial District
The Elizabethtown Courthouse Square and Commercial District, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a 10 acres historic district which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The listing included 38 contributing buildings.
It includes the Hardin County Courthouse, built in 1933 in Georgian Revival style. The courthouse has a three-story brick central section with a slightly projecting entrance pavilion, which has a shallow portico. The courthouse replaced an 1873 courthouse which was damaged in 1932 by a fire.
The district is located on Kentucky Route 61. It consists of the courthouse square and one block of West Dixie street west of the courthouse, containing the surviving historic core of the city. It consists of two- and three-story brick buildings, 38 out of 40 being deemed contributing.[8]
Address: 120 Dixie Highway East, Elizabethtown
Christ Episcopal Church
Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a historic church on Poplar Street. The church was built in 1850 and added to the National Register in 1988.
It is a one-story Gothic Revival-style church with buttresses on all four facades. A Romanesque Revival-style tower was added in 1877. A one-story brick parish house was built on the southern facade of the church in 1955. The church is the best example of Gothic Revival architecture in Hardin county. The church has maintained little renovations and possesses most of the original work.
Before the year 1840, there was no local Episcopal community. However, in that year a man named Rt. Reverend Benjamin Bosworth Smith visited Elizabethtown. His stay encouraged a community of local Episcopalians. The group met on an infrequent basis from the years from 1840 till 1850. Bishop Smith purchased land and materials to start construction on a church. The church operated all the way through the Civil War. The church had trouble gaining members in the 1930s and was held up by eight women. However, modern-day attendance has a membership of 140 people and 70 members in regular attendance.[9]