Historic Plaques Stolen from Hardin County Courthouse

Police seek public's help in recovering valuable bronze markers

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:41am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a textured bronze plaque with ornamental corner rosettes, lit by a harsh, direct flash to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the theft of historically significant public markers.The theft of three historic bronze plaques from the Hardin County Courthouse exposes the vulnerability of public landmarks and the importance of preserving local cultural heritage.Elizabethtown Today

Three historic bronze plaques have been stolen from the former Hardin County Courthouse in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The stolen items include a 1933 courthouse dedication plaque and two 1955 plaques commemorating the county's connections to presidents Abraham Lincoln and James Buchanan.

Why it matters

The stolen plaques hold significant historical value for the local community, serving as important markers of the county's past. Their theft represents a loss of irreplaceable cultural heritage and raises concerns about the security of public landmarks.

The details

According to Elizabethtown Police Department Public Affairs Officer Chris Denham, the theft is believed to have occurred between March 18 and March 24. All three plaques are cast bronze with ornamental corner rosettes. Detectives have launched an investigation and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

  • The theft is believed to have occurred between March 18 and March 24, 2026.
  • Detectives began the theft investigation on March 31, 2026.

The players

Chris Denham

Public Affairs Officer for the Elizabethtown Police Department, leading the investigation into the stolen plaques.

Hardin County Crime Stoppers

A local crime reporting hotline that is offering a cash reward for information leading to the recovery of the stolen plaques and/or the identification of the suspect(s).

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What they’re saying

“If someone currently in possession of the plaques would like to arrange an anonymous return, I am willing to facilitate this.”

— Chris Denham, Public Affairs Officer, Elizabethtown Police Department

What’s next

Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to contact the Elizabethtown Police Department or Hardin County Crime Stoppers. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to the recovery of the plaques and/or the identification of the suspect(s) will make the tipster eligible for a cash reward.

The takeaway

The theft of these historically significant plaques is a devastating loss for the Hardin County community. Their recovery would help restore an important piece of the region's cultural heritage and send a message that such crimes against public landmarks will not be tolerated.