Elizabethtown College is a private residential college dedicated to the education of students pursuing degrees in liberal arts, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and professional career studies. Elizabethtown College is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, United States in Lancaster County. Founded in 1899 Elizabethtown College is commonly referred to as "E-town," and has an undergraduate student body population of approximately 1,900.HistoryFounding and early yearsFounded in 1899, Elizabethtown College is one of many higher learning institutions founded in the 19th century by churches or church members interested in the educational advancement of their denominational membership. The College was founded by interested members of the Church of the Brethren in response to an initiative by the Reverend Jacob G. Francis. Francis advocated for Elizabethtown because of the proximity to the railways (which holds true to this day as an Amtrak station is currently there). First classes for the new college were held on Nov. 13, 1900, in the Heisey Building in downtown Elizabethtown. During its first two decades, the College operated as an academy, offering a limited curriculum centering on four-year teaching degrees and high school type classes.1920–1950In 1921, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction accredited the College, and authorized its first baccalaureate degrees in arts and sciences. Later, in 1928, the College was approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for pre-law education. In 1948, Elizabethtown College became accredited by the Middle States Association and in 1949 by the American Council of Education. Throughout this period, the college grew considerably as it built Fairview Hall, Gibble Science Building, the Alumni Auditorium and Zug Memorial Library.
