By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the October 23, 2019, edition of the Brookville American. …almost everyone in Brookville does. The “A.F.&S.” stamped in the center of the bricks stood for Anthony Fries and Sons. Anthony Fries was born in Germany in 1835. He came to the United States in 1853 and ended up in Franklin County by 1864. Anthony was originally…
News
Glenn English: Doctor to the Stars, and Silver Star Recipient
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the January 15, 2020, edition of the Brookville American. Glenn English died in California in 1951. He was born in Midland, Ohio, in 1898, but called Franklin County his home for many years and spent the majority of his formative years in Brookville. After he graduated from Brookville High School in 1916, he attended Indiana State…
Disney Party at the Library!
Dress up as your favorite Disney character, read a few books, and get your free kids ticket to Disney on Ice all at the library! Join us at Laurel Library on March 3 at 5 p.m. and March 5 at Brookville Library at 5 p.m. for a Disney party featuring a light costume parade, some crafts, and a snack. We will also have free kids tickets to Disney on Ice…
Dr. Maguire
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the March 15, 2025, edition of the Brookville American. This image of Dr. Maguire’s house, cropped from a larger view, was just too intriguing to overlook. Who was Dr. Maguire, where was this house, and what happened to it? The image is in the Metamora Oral History Project collection, which is now in the Brookville Library’s…
Once Upon a Time
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the May 18, 2022, edition of the Brookville American. I was a beautiful house – one of the most regal and unique in our entire county. I was a showplace in Laurel, and that’s saying a lot because at one time, the town of Laurel had some of the most lavish and ornate homes around. Laurel…
Revisiting the 1882 Atlas
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the July 3, 2024, edition of the Brookville American and is available in the book Forgotten Franklin County, volume 5. For the Forgotten Franklin County column of August 19, 2020, I wrote about Beers the Cartographer. Mr. Beers’ map company is the primary reason that we have the wonderfully detailed 1882 Atlas of Franklin County. Today’s…
Beers the Cartographer
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the August 19, 2020, edition of the Brookville American and is available in the book Forgotten Franklin County, volume 2. In the past, I have referred to our “standard” county reference books, which simply means they are the go-to books for the earliest and most concise history of our county. These books were compiled in the…
Encyclopedias, Magazines, Guides, and Book Covers
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the December 27, 2023, edition of the Brookville American and is available in the book Forgotten Franklin County volume 5. Having been published in all of those renditions, in addition to scholarly publications and written about in newspaper articles – with a repertoire like that – you wouldn’t think the Beesleys would be included in a…
Jingle Books is Back!
‘Tis the season for giving, and you are invited to help provide free books to children of all ages during our Jingle Books event! Jingle Books allows patrons to donate new or gently used books with the intention of allowing other families who visit the library to choose a free book from the Jingle Books display as a gift for a child this holiday. There will be book bins to…
Painting Franklin County
Plein air painters will be capturing the beauty of Franklin County on canvas Oct. 17-19. Whether you are an artist or an appreciator of art, you’re welcome to join in on the festivities! Friday, Oct. 17 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Registration 7 p.m. – Teri Campbell presents: The New Canvas: Exploring Art in the Age of AI Saturday, Oct. 18 7 p.m. – Dinner (Courtesy of FCPLD’s Art…