Ask anyone with any knowledge of Todd County, and at some point the person being asked will reference the beauty of the 1835 Historic Todd County Courthouse, a structure synonymous with the beloved Square in Elkton.
Again, ask anyone about the Courthouse, and that person will more than likely remark what a majestic addition the Courthouse is to the beloved “roundabout” recognized so frequently as the iconic beacon of Todd County. As visitors to the Courthouse will attest, the 1835 Courthouse, now the Todd County Welcome Center, houses many pieces of memorabilia that have been collected since the Courthouse’s transition into the Welcome Center in the 1990s.
A few familiar with the Courthouse will note the existing clock sitting atop the Courthouse was added about 1891. That addition, one purchased by the City of Elkton and Todd County in 1888, has led to the clock functioning as an all-seeing and omnipresent onlooker into the activities occurring around the Square. Move forward throughout the 200 plus history of Todd County, and it is only logical a clock dating back to the late 19th Century requires upkeep. That necessary maintenance and upkeep of the clock and its tower have fallen many times on the shoulders of Elkton Bank & Trust Company, a community-based bank that sits to the south side of the Courthouse. The bank itself is a result of a merger between The Farmers and Merchants’ Bank, which opened July 2, 1890, and the Bank of Elkton, which dates from 1866. The 1866 bank previously occupied part of the space now owned by Knuckles Insurance. The merger between the two banks occurred on December 22, 1932, and became effective on December 31, 1932, thus creating Elkton Bank & Trust.
With the assistance of the City of Elkton and EB&T, repair to the clock tower has included the painting of the clock tower in recent decades. EB&T has also provided monies to repair the clock and its clock mechanism twice with the latest repair work accomplished at the end of 2024. Laura Brock, former City-Clerk of Elkton, messaged, “On behalf of all Todd Countians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Elkton Bank & Trust Company for their generous efforts over the years in restoring and preserving the Historic 1835 Todd County Courthouse clock and tower. Their commitment to our community and its history ensures this timeless treasure will continue to stand as a symbol of our shared heritage for generations to come.”
At its monthly meeting in January, members of Historic Todd County, Inc. expressed their gratitude to EB&T for their commitment to the Historic 1835 Courthouse and its clock. Billy Bryant, vice-chair of HTC, messaged, “It is such a blessing to Todd County that EB&T is continually willing to offset the expenses required to maintain the beloved Courthouse.” Glenn Slack, a director for HTC, emailed, “HTC is so grateful for Elkton Bank & Trust’s commitment to the preservation of the Public Square. The bank’s recent infusion of financial resources will ensure the Clock Tower will be operable for many years to come, something the entire community can enjoy and appreciate.”
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
January 25, 2025
