Elizabethtown, New York, a town in Essex County, serves as the county seat, with the hamlet of Elizabethtown located in its northern part. As of , the town’s population was 1,203, a rise from the 1,163 recorded in the census.
Located in the east-central part of Essex County, Elizabethtown is situated 39 miles (63 km) southwest of Burlington, Vermont, 104 miles (167 km) south of Montreal, Quebec, and 117 miles (188 km) north of Albany, New York. Residents and local publications refer to the town as “Pleasant Valley.”
The town’s origins trace back to 1792, when Revolutionary War veterans from Vermont first settled in an area now known as New Russia. The broader Upper Boquet River Valley was then known as Pleasant Valley. Elizabethtown was formally organized on February 12, 1798, initially encompassing a vast 822 square miles.
The town’s name honors Elizabeth Gilliland, the wife and daughter of William Gilliland, an early landholder in Essex County. Gilliland acquired significant tracts of land prior to the Revolutionary War. The town evolved from a portion of the larger Crown Point settlement, and later became the county seat, replacing a previous location in Essex.
Historically, Elizabethtown’s economy centered on lumber and maple sugaring. By the late 19th century, tourism emerged as a key industry. Today, Elizabethtown functions as a center for public and commercial services within Essex County.
The town covers a total area of 215.25 square miles (557.48 square kilometers), with 211.43 square miles (547.62 square kilometers) being land and 3.82 square miles (9.89 square kilometers) water. The Black River, a tributary of the Boquet River, defines a portion of the town’s eastern boundary. The Boquet River itself flows northward through the center of Elizabethtown, eventually reaching Lake Champlain.
Transportation infrastructure includes Interstate 87, which runs through the southeastern part of the town, and New York State Route 9N, intersecting with US Highway 9 in the town center.
Elizabethtown is positioned within the region of the Adirondack High Peaks, located 29 kilometers from Mount Marcy, the highest peak in New York State.
Several smaller settlements and geographical features are located within Elizabethtown, including New Russia, Euba Mills, Lincoln Pond, New Pond, and Hurricane Mountain. The Pauline Murdock Wildlife Management Area is situated northeast of the hamlet of Elizabethtown.
The Hand-Hale Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, features the Hale House (dating from 1818) and a brick Greek revival structure built in 1849 by Judge Augustus C. Hand. Hubbard Hall, originally serving as the town’s hospital until 1966, was destroyed by fire in 2011.
A detailed history of Elizabethtown, titled “Pleasant Valley,” was published in 1905 by George Levi Brown and is available online through the Library of Congress. Population figures show fluctuations over time, with a peak of 1,635 in 1850, followed by periods of decline and growth. The population in 1820 was 889, increasing to 1,015 by 1830, and 1,061 by 1840. A decline was noted in 1860 with a population of 1,343, followed by increases in 1870 (1,488) and 1890 (1,399). The population decreased to 1,131 in 1900 and 1,108 in 1910, before falling to 1,042 in 1920. It rose again to 1,113 in 1930 and 1,181 in 1940, continuing to 1,208 in 1950, 1,328 in 1960, 1,284 in 1970, 1,267 in 1980, 1,314 in 1990, and 1,315 in 2000 before decreasing to 1,163 in 2010 and rising again to 1,203 in 2020.
The Adirondack History Museum, located in Elizabethtown, contains a research library, a preserved Adirondack fire tower, exhibits, and a colonial garden. The museum also features the Rosenberg Gallery, dedicated to the work of local artist James N. Rosenberg and showcasing the history of Adirondack art.
