We are all familiar with the beloved Elkton Square, and one of the most recognizable businesses around the Square is the site of the oldest bank in Elkton.
That bank, Elkton Bank & Trust Company, has sat proudly for decades on the corner of the Square and South Main Street at 30 Public Square. It now encompasses the entire southwest portion of the Square with the bank purchasing in years past properties that at one time housed “Lillie’s Clothing Store” and Howard Eddings’ Grocery. The Hardison property, the building formerly the site of “Lillie’s,” was added in 1993 while the Eddings’ property was purchased in 1996. With the purchase of those two properties, the bank completed a major renovation and addition in 2000.
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 dated from 1866. That 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. In 1934, Guthrie Bank announced its sale to EB&T and in the late 20th Century the Elkton Main Office and the Guthrie Branch saw the addition of two branches. The Highway 79 Branch, located near the intersection with US 79 in Guthrie, was completed in 1979. The South Main Branch located just off the Square was established in 1990.
Ask anyone about the impact Elkton Bank & Trust Company has on our community and one of the first responses most will include will be the bank’s continued support of the 1835 Todd County Courthouse clock. The bank provides annual maintenance as well as upgrades to the clock, the most recent upgrade being in late 2024. The bank has been a faithful supporter of the Todd County School system for many years. It has provided the Valedictorian Award and scholarships annually for the top five GPA graduates for many years. In addition, the bank generously contributes to numerous school functions.
Those who use debit cards are aware the bank provides two different versions, one generating funds for Todd County Central High School and the other generating funds for Historic Todd County, Inc. Elkton Bank and Trust embraces its community by showing support of the Rotary Club of Elkton, Elkton’s HarvestFest, Guthrie’s Heritage Days, the Robert Penn Warren Birthplace Museum, local “Trunk or Treats,” the Elkton Christmas parade, and the Todd County Bale Trail. It is also a supporter of events at the Todd County Extension Office and with Todd County 4-H. Other groups and organizations who are also recipients of the bank’s community outreach include the Todd County Chamber of Commerce, Elkton-Todd County Park, Elk Fork Country Club, Todd County Fish and Game Organization, local fire departments, the Green River Academy, the Trenton Community Center, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
It is apparent from the items included that Elkton Bank & Trust Company takes its role seriously as it works to provide the best banking experience for its patrons as well as offering viable support for so many events and organizations, all in Elkton and Todd County. Noting the significance of Elkton Bank & Trust, Glenn Slack, a member of Historic Todd County, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Elkton, emailed, “Every community should be blessed with one or more benefactors that help ensure progress, stability and prosperity. We are fortunate in this community to have Elkton Bank & Trust Company helping to make things happen. Most people probably don’t realize the role our local banks play in industrial development. Much of EB&T’s economic development initiatives are behind the scenes and go unnoticed.”
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
March 6, 2025
