ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) — Three historic plaques were stolen from a nearly 100-year-old courthouse in downtown Elizabethtown, leaving police and local historians disappointed.
The courthouse, originally built in the 1880s and rebuilt in 1933 after a fire, had three bronze plaques installed to commemorate its history and notable figures. One plaque was dedicated when the courthouse reopened in 1933, while two others, installed in 1955 by the Hardin County Historical Society, honor presidents Abraham Lincoln and James Buchanan and their ties to the area.
"These have very great sentimental historical value to this area — it’s part of the greater heritage of the downtown area," said John Thomas, an officer with the Elizabethtown Police Department.
Detectives believe the plaques were pried from the walls of the building, which is being converted into a 27-room boutique hotel. Authorities said the theft was not motivated by monetary gain, but rather struck at the heart of the community’s history.
"In my 18 years in law enforcement, I have never heard of this type of theft occurring — even by thief standards, this is kind of a low blow," Thomas added.
Charlie Skees of the Hardin County Historical Society said the plaques' value is not in their material worth, but in what they represent.
"So much history has passed through here and right through the doors of that very courthouse, and you hate just to have any of it be lost," Skees said.
Police are asking the public for help in returning the plaques and said they would arrange an anonymous return to ensure the pieces are restored to their rightful place.
"I would like to think that the local public values them as we do," Thomas said. "They see the historical value of these plaques, they see that this is an attack on the heritage of our city and our county, and they are motivated to get them back for the same reasons."
Anyone with information about the stolen plaques is asked to contact the Elizabethtown Police Department at (270) 765-4125 or Hardin County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-597-8123.
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