REGIONAL INFORMATION ON ELIZABETHTOWN

Gateway to the Adirondack High Peaks

Nicknamed: Pleasant Valley
Settled: 1792
Established: February 12, 1798
Latitude: 44.216N
Longitude: -73.591W
Area: 82 square miles
Major industry: Government, law, surveying, light industry, and tourism.

Situated in the heart of the six million acre Adirondack Park, the largest forest preserve in the Continental United States. Nine miles from the magnificent waters of Lake Champlain, 126 miles of clear fresh water and sandy beaches.

On the Boquet River, at the foot of Hurricane Mountain. Named after Elizabeth Gilliland, wife and also a daughter of landholder William Gilliland.

For many of the early years, cutting and marketing lumber was the chief industry of the inhabitants, even exceeding agriculture in employment. Maple sugar was an important early industry. When poplar trees replaced the first growth, as many as 20,000 cords of poplar were shipped in one year to paper mills from Elizabethtown. Tourism replaced lumber as the chief industry in the late 1800s.

Following in the footsteps of their forefathers, townspeople have made sure that this mountain hamlet has all you would look for in a vacation spot. There is original Adirondack charm as well as significant historic attractions and cultural opportunities. As the county seat and government center, Elizabethtown hosts continuous activity. Recreational facilities abound, while additional attractions are just a few miles away.

Head into our history by visiting the Adirondack Center Museum, open from May 15 until October 15 and by appointment throughout the winter months. Operated by the Essex County Historical Society, it features three floors of excellent exhibits focusing on Adirondack history, social and military background of the area as well as several temporary exhibits each season.

Historians and genealogists from across the country use the Brewster Library year round for research and study of county history.

The Colonial Garden provides visitors with a beautiful display of color from May to October. The Essex County Adirondack Garden Club maintains formal beds of annuals and perennials.

Also included on the four-acre grounds of the museum is a nature trail. Using a pamphlet prepared by the local Audubon society, visitors can stroll by the river watch for wildflowers and birds and enjoy a bit of natural history.

Pauline Murdock's Bird Sanctuary is located on Wadhams Road, heading north out of town.

The Cobble Hill Golf Course, built in 1896 has 9 challenging holes interspersed with tall pines and mountain views. Open from May through September. The golf course also has nesting Peregrine and Merlin falcons.

Boquet River is famous for its rainbow, speckled and brown trout. Stocked by county and state DEC provides ample parking at fishing access sites.

On Lincoln pond we have a state campsite and picnic area, with swimming, fishing and boating. Open middle of May through Labor Day.

The outdoor recreation available for all seasons are public skating rink, hunting, hiking, mountain climbing, cross country skiing, canoeing, cycling, tennis, snow shoeing, horseback riding.

Split Rock Falls, South of the hamlet along Route 9, the Boquet River drops significantly in a beautiful series of waterfalls and deep pools. This location was the site of the Bishop Iron Forge, c. 1825 that by the unique "tromp" method used falling water to provide a constant flow of air to feed the smelting fires.

The Hand-Hale Historic District was designated in 1979, the District is located on both sides of River Street in the hamlet and features the stately homes and office of two prominent families in the annals of state and national law. The gracious white frame Hale House that dates from 1818 is located on the North side of the Branch and was the residence of Judge Robert S. Hale. On the South side, Judge Augustus C. Hand built the brick Greek revival structure, in 1849. He was the grandfather of Learned and Augustus N. Hand, the eminent justices of the US Circuit Court of Appeals. Many young students "read Law" in the small offices and went on to prominent careers.

The Elizabethtown Library Association, maintained by the town since 1884, is affiliated with the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System. Visitors are invited to use its facilities and to enjoy their varying summer programs.

We have available the cultural offerings of the Maplewood Festival of Baroque Music Recitals and the acclaimed Meadowmount School of Music located in nearby Lewis, which welcomes visitors to their weekly concerts. Also the Gallery at The Old Mill, former studio and school of Wayman Adams, offers fine art in an historic Adirondack setting. We also have many local artists in the area who welcome visitors to their private galleries.

Take exits 30, 31 or 32 off I-87 (120 miles north of Albany, 95 miles south of Montreal)

You are the the visitor. Thank you for stopping by.