Indiana is a state rich in history and culture, but it also has a darker side. Among the many attractions and landmarks that draw visitors to the Hoosier State, there is one that most people don’t know about: an abandoned town that was once a thriving community.
The Rise and Fall of Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, or E-Town as it was commonly called, was founded in 1837 by John Meek, a pioneer who settled in the area with his family. Meek built a grist mill, a saw mill, a blacksmith shop, and a general store, and soon other settlers followed. By the 1850s, E-Town had a population of about 500 people, and was a prosperous and busy town. It had a post office, a school, a church, a hotel, a saloon, and several other businesses. E-Town was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the North.
E-Town’s decline began in the late 1800s, when the railroad bypassed the town and the mills closed down. Many residents moved away to seek better opportunities elsewhere, and the town gradually became deserted. By the 1930s, E-Town was a ghost town, with only a few families remaining. The last resident of E-Town, Mary Wilson, died in 1976, and the town was officially abandoned.
The Mystery and Mystery of E-Town Today
Today, E-Town is a forgotten and eerie place, hidden in the woods of Bartholomew County, Indiana. The town’s buildings are crumbling and overgrown with vegetation, and the only signs of life are the occasional wildlife and curious explorers. E-Town is not marked on any maps, and there are no signs or roads leading to it. The only way to find it is to follow an old dirt trail that starts from a nearby cemetery.
E-Town is not only a historical site, but also a source of mystery and legend. Some people believe that E-Town is haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants, who still roam the town at night. Others claim that E-Town is a portal to another dimension, where strange and paranormal phenomena occur. There are also stories of cults, rituals, and sacrifices that take place in E-Town, involving human and animal bones, candles, and pentagrams. Whether these tales are true or not, E-Town is certainly a place that sparks the imagination and curiosity of anyone who dares to visit it.
Conclusion
E-Town is one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets, a hidden and abandoned town that most people don’t know about. It is a place that offers a glimpse into the past, as well as a challenge for the adventurous. E-Town is a town that has a story to tell, but only to those who are willing to listen.