By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the January 2026 edition of the Brookville American. The Aquacycle first caught my attention about ten years ago. I was looking for an obituary but got distracted by a front page story along with an intriguing image in the June 24, 1948, Brookville Democrat that claimed the Aquacycle was the brainchild of Dr. B. Billman of…
News
Here One Day, Gone the Next
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the April 6, 2022, edition of the Brookville American and in Volume 3 of Forgotten Franklin County. The little building at 309 Main Street always intrigued me. I knew it was old because of the brick style and the brick lintels above the windows. To my regret, I passed by it regularly with no thought of photographing…
Mound Haven
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the November 20, 2019, edition of the Brookville American and in Volume 1 of Forgotten Franklin County. U.S. Highway 52 is the main thoroughfare in and out of Franklin County, unless, of course, it’s closed for what continues to seem like endless, annual repair jobs. On this road, coming from Cedar Grove, as one approaches the slight…
In Search Of…
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the February 5, 2020, edition of the Brookville American and in Volume 1 of Forgotten Franklin County. Do you remember the television show? It was on once a week from 1977 to 1982. Leonard Nimoy was the host. The program investigated controversial and paranormal events, and featured episodes about historical personalities and mysterious historical events. Well, this…
Southgate
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the January 5, 2022, edition of the Brookville American and in Volume 3 of Forgotten Franklin County. Southgate, interchangeably referred to as South Gate, is in Highland Township, and many of you probably pass through it on a regular basis and don’t even know that it was a small successful town. What’s left of the town today…
A Story Too Good Not to Share
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the March 30, 2022, edition of the Brookville American and in Volume 3 of Forgotten Franklin County. When people remodel their homes they find all kinds of interesting and unusual things – old newspapers in the walls (which were typically used for insulation), jewelry that slipped between the floor boards, “mud bricks” behind walls that were created…
LEGO Expo Returns April 18!
Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! Our LEGO Expo returns to Brookville Library on April 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come see the LEGO builds, watch a LEGO movie, test out your LEGO knowledge with trivia, and vote on your favorite creative builds! For those who would like to participate in the expo: LEGO builds should be dropped off at Brookville Library from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on April…
Sign up for Stop Motion Animation Classes
Bring your ideas to life—one frame at a time! Join us each week to learn the basics of stop-motion animation using simple props, LEGO, clay, paper cutouts, and more. Work solo or with a team to storyboard, film, and edit a short movie you can share. No experience needed—just imagination! Classes begin on March 26 at Brookville Library at 4:30 p.m. and will continue every Thursday. Call the library to…
Birchill
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the January 20, 2021, edition of the Brookville American and in Volume 2 of Forgotten Franklin County. ….one of Franklin County’s showplaces and one of the most beautifully landscaped little gems in the town of Brookville. But that was more than half a century ago. This historic home sat unnoticed for at least the entire part…
“No Finer Home on Wheels”
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the January 13, 2021, edition of the Brookville American, and in Volume 2 of Forgotten Franklin County. ….was just one of the advertising slogans for the luxury trailer coaches made right here in Brookville. Our county was once known for its abundance of manufacturing endeavors and production of numerous consumer goods. In the past, Franklin County…