Elizabethtown began it's first "Century of Charm" in the 1700's with the founding colonists. It is ideally located near Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Lebanon and Hershey Pennsylvania. Our community has a rural charm of surrounding townships where farming and the tradition of working together are still upheld. We have a hometown newspaper, churches of all denominations, public and private schools, a public library, fire company and many cultural attractions for area residents and visitors to enjoy. Elizabethtown is a great place to live, work and shop.

Elizabethtown is a community of 11,887 residents located in south central Pennsylvania. Situated in scenic northwestern Lancaster County, our town is 10 miles south of Hershey and 20 miles from Harrisburg, Lancaster and York.

There are two stories about the origin of the town's name. In one version it is named after Elizabeth Reeby, wife of Michael Reeby who sold the first building lots here in about 1795. Another version has it named after the wife of Captain Barnabas Hughes who purchased a tavern here in 1750. The officially accepted history is that, in 1753, Barnabus Hughes acquired land and laid out a town, naming it for his wife, Elizabeth.
The early settlers were primarily Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch. Elizabethtown became a borough in 1827, and a railroad was built through the area in the 1830s. The town was primarily agricultural until the early 1900s, when the Klein Chocolate Company (now part of Mars, Inc.) and several shoe factories (the last of which closed in 1979) opened. Elizabethtown College was established in 1899, and the Masonic Homes (now the Masonic Village) followed in 1911. After World War II, Elizabethtown grew rapidly, more than doubling its population between 1950 and 2000. Homes and businesses expanded into nearby farmland, making sprawl, farmland preservation, and revitalizing the downtown area important issues.

Special Attractions - There is an abundance of recreational, cultural and historical attractions in Pennsylvania's state capital. Experience Harrisburg's old world charm on City Island, the city's island park. Accessed by paddle wheel boat or a short bridge crossing, City Island offers carriage rides, a mini steam train, an old fashioned carousel and plenty of shopping opportunities. Or take a visit to the State Capitol building with its majestic domed roof that was inspired by St. Peter's Basilica. The State Museum of Pennsylvania houses a comprehensive collection of arts and artifacts ranging from prehistoric people to American folk art. Visitors can step back in time and take a dinner cruise along the beautiful Susquehanna River on the Pride of the Susquehanna an authentic paddle wheel riverboat. Harrisburg is also within easy access to many points of natural beauty as well. The Gifford Pinchot State Park is full of hiking trails, wildlife and outdoor adventure.

Education - Harrisburg has always put a premium on quality education for both children and aspirants of higher learning. The Capital Region Intermediate Unit 15 is an agency that provides educational evaluation for the students of the 25 school districts and addresses the learning needs of the children of Harrisburg. In addition to both parochial and private schools, Harrisburg provides high quality education for those children less fortunate. The king of chocolate and genuine altruist, Milton Hershey, founded Milton Hershey School. Today, those children that come from families with limited income have the opportunity to partake of quality cost free residential education in a safe environment. In addition to a strong curriculum, children attending Hershey School are also provided with clothing, food, medical access and financial support. Adult education and institutes of higher learning figure predominantly into the Harrisburg educational system. Harrisburg is the home of several colleges of academic distinction.

Special Attractions - More than a child's fantasy, Hershey Pennsylvania is home to a variety of sweet distractions from the floral abundance of the breathtaking gardens to the North American wild life park Zoo America, Hershey deservedly attracts over two million visitors annually. Hershey Pennsylvania is full of family fun. Hershey Park, a thrill seeker 's paradise, is full of speedy roller coasters, amusement rides, and family shows.

Hershey provides a wealth of interesting experiences that titillate every sense from the mouthwatering aroma of cooking chocolate that permeates the town to the twinkling lights and lamp post kisses that brighten the night time promenades. Hershey is a land of mouthwatering fun.

Health Care - Hershey Pennsylvania is home to one of the most prestigious medical facilities in the country. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, and Penn State Children's Hospital comprise a health care triumvirate that embodies state of art technology and distinguished patient care. Penn State College of Medicine is a dedicated to a high standard of education for all students pursuing a career in the medical profession. Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is committed to educational programs and patient services that promote a healthy style of life. The medical facility also includes a highly developed research center that is at the forefront in the advancement of medical and scientific knowledge. Focused upon providing a full range of professional patient care services for the residents of central Pennsylvania, Hershey Medical maintains its reputation as one of the nation's premier academic medical centers.

Lancaster Pennsylvania is a mid size city with a population over 57,000. Located within the south central portion of the state and situated in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country, Lancaster is within an hour drive of Harrisburg, Hershey and Reading and within a 2-hour drive to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Washington DC is a three hour drive and New York City is over four all easily accessed by US routes 30, 283 and 222 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Harrisburg International Airport services Lancaster and Amtrak provides a full schedule of daily train departures.

Brief History - Lancaster Pennsylvania has a rich and dramatic history that has placed it literally in the heart of America's heritage. Originally populated by a variety of Native American Indian tribes, Lancaster became a sanctuary for predominantly Amish, German and English immigrants fleeing religious persecution. The city of Lancaster, founded in 1729 and incorporated in 1818, has been an integral participant in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, a benevolent stop on the Underground Railroad, a political hotbed which produced many great political figures of the 18th and 19th centuries and has played an important role in the advent of the Industrial Revolution. The commercially charged and forward-looking energy of Lancaster has given rise to many companies that have now become household names. Hershey's Chocolate Company originally was founded in 1894, F.W. Woolworth introduced the world to the 5 & 10 store in 1879 and the Hamilton Watch Company created a line of innovative timepieces including the first battery operated wrist watch.

Special Attractions - Lancaster is known as the heartland of the "Pennsylvania Dutch Country."

History - York was founded in 1741 by settlers from the Philadelphia region, and named for the English city of the same name. It was incorporated as a borough on September 24, 1787, and as a city on January 11, 1887. During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), York served as the temporary capital of the Continental Congress. The Articles of Confederation were drafted and adopted in York, though they would not be ratified until March of 1781. York is one of many cities that lay claim to the title of First Capital of the United States, although historians generally consider it to be the fourth capital, after Philadelphia, Baltimore and Lancaster.

Today - York is a center for manufacturing of barbells and other equipment for weight training and bodybuilding, and is the home of the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame. A large Harley-Davidson motorcycle factory, which employs roughly half of Harley's production workforce, is located in York. York is home to two major manufacturers of modern hydro-power water turbines, Voith Siemens Hydro and American Hydro, both of which manufacture enormous parts in their plants. York is headquarters to York International, a Johnson Controls Company and one of the largest suppliers of HVAC systems in the United States.

Culture - York is home to the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, which brings many nationally acclaimed acts to the York area. Performers here have included Kenny G, Bill Cosby, BB King, Béla Fleck, and George Carlin. The historic Capitol Theatre also features many independent and foreign films, making it the only venue in York (and sometimes the entire Susquehanna Valley) to feature some rare, yet critically acclaimed films. The Strand Studio has also branched out from the recently Renovated Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. The Studio offers live music, usually jazz & acoustic, for the community. The historic York Fair, which claims to be the country's oldest, traces its roots to 1765. It runs every year in September for 10 days, encompassing an entire week and two weekends. In addition to typical fair attractions, such as rides, games and contests, it also wins regional recognition for hosting many (usually country) musical artists, such as Alabama, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.