Hodgenville, Kentucky, is the original land of Lincoln
Sorry, Illinois, but Hodgenville, Kentucky, is the original land of Lincoln. Honest Abe’s ethical foundation was formed in this small town, less than 15 miles southeast of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park is a short drive south of Lincoln Square, the center of Hodgenville. This historic square and its surrounding neighborhoods give a sense of Hodgenville’s historic nature. “You get a lot of Nostalgia in Hodgenville. It’s a rural town with the old square and old streets, so you get a look back at what things used to look like,” says Realtor Chris Howard with Green Team Real Estate Services, an Elizabethtown resident for over 20 years. The activity around Lincoln Square offers more to do than the average rural town, but this is still the countryside, and many buyers are drawn here for the available space.
Late-1800s homes, spacious suburbs and multi-acre countryside estates
The walkable, tree-lined streets around Lincoln Square make up Hodgenville’s historic heart. These streets and the rest of town have seen the addition of many homes over the decades, and the growth continues today. “They’re doing a lot of renovations in the older neighborhoods around the square,” Howard says. “But I still have people looking in Hodgenville for more space and a better deal than they would get in Elizabethtown.” Hodgenville’s median price is around $240,000, but buyers typically base their search on their desired area. Around Lincoln Square, 1950s cottages, late-1800s Carpenter Gothics and large early-1900s Federal-style homes on spacious grassy lawns range from $135,000 to $320,000. Homes just south of the town center start around the same price but reach $360,000 for large older homes and modern New Traditional homes. North of the square, there are spacious suburban tracts where 1980s Colonial Revivals and new construction range from $180,000 to $425,000. South of town, around Lincoln’s birthplace, there are large properties, including new construction with acreage, 1940s prairie-style mansions on 10 acres and contemporary farmhouses on 20-plus-acre estates that can cost $400,000 to $820,000.
Lincoln Square is the center of town
The statue of Honest Abe marks the center of Lincoln Square, the heart of Hodgenville. It’s surrounded by local businesses and historic buildings. “You can walk around Lincoln Square to all the shops on Main Street and Lincoln Boulevard,” Howard says. “There are nice coffee shops, some dining and cool old buildings.” These meaningful establishments include the Lincoln Museum and the historic home of the Woman’s Club of Hodgenville, founded in 1919. Staple eateries on the square include the Top Hat Tavern — an homage to Lincoln — Laha’s Red Castle, a popular burger joint, and the Sweet Shoppe. The 16th Restaurant is an upscale option north of the square, and Vibe Coffee is a Kentucky favorite. People get groceries at IGA on the north end of town or at Save A Lot on the south end.
Elementary, middle and high school in Hodgenville
LaRue County Schools serve local students. The system receives a B-minus grade from Niche. It and its four schools are based in Hodgenville. Many kids begin at Hodgenville Elementary, on the south end of the town center, rated a B-plus. They could also start at Abraham Lincoln High, given a B-minus, located just south of town. All finish at LaRue County Middle and LaRue County High, which both earn a B and sit next to Hodgenville Elementary. The district’s high school students can explore potential professions through the Career Launch program, which provides career-based education and job shadowing opportunities.
Green space at Creekfront Park and trails at Lincoln’s birthplace
Creekfront Park is Hodgenville’s central recreation space. It’s just north of Lincoln Square, and its playground and grassy fields butt up against the wooded banks of the North Fork Nolin River, which meanders its way through town. About 3 miles south of Lincoln Square, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park is not just a memorial to the 16th president; it’s also a tranquil outdoor space. The wooded property has walkways like the Pathway of a President and multiple loop trails.
Commute to Fort Knox and new electric vehicle battery plants
Elizabethtown is where many residents commute for work. They follow state Route 61 into downtown Elizabethtown, less than 15 miles northwest. It’s home to Hardin Memorial Hospital, the area’s largest medical center. West of Hodgenville, a BlueOval SK Battery plant is being built in Glendale, adding to the area’s future employment. Meanwhile, U.S. Army Fort Knox is 25 miles north on U.S. Route 31 West. Route 31 runs through Elizabethtown, as does Interstate 65, which leads 55 miles north to Louisville. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the closest major air travel hub.
