Complex sentence: Elkton was once known as the "Gretna Green of the West" because of its popularity as a place for eloping couples to marry, a state law was passed in 1938 requiring a 48-hour waiting period.
Split into simpler sentences: Elkton was once known as the "Gretna Green of the West" because of its popularity as a place for eloping couples to marry. However, a state law was passed in 1938 requiring a 48-hour waiting period.