BROOKVILLE — In March 1874, the citizens of Brookville were arranging to have a survey made with a view to its incorporation. The reason for incorporating was to improve the streets, which were little rivers.

In August 1874, citizens read where there was controversy over this issue. The Montgomery County Commissioners made arrangements to visit and hear testimony.

The Montgomery County Commissioners granted their approval for the incorporation of the village plat of the town. The land area included most of section 34 in Clay Township.

It encompassed about one square mile with 500 inhabitants. It was noted that Brookville was located in a fine agricultural section and was a good point for business.

The Board of Commissioners of Montgomery County and State of Ohio ordered that the territory described in said petition and accompanying map herein filed be organized known and designated as the Incorporated Village of Brookville. The order was recorded on October 2, 1874.

The first municipal election was conducted November 16, 1874 with these results:

Mayor J.R.S. Smith, Council Members Levi Baker, Richard Riley, Albert Hadder, Simon Somers, Benjamin Wilson, and Dr. Jacob R. Conner.

The first council meeting was held in Conner and Mundhenk’s Drug Store, which was located on Wolf Creek Street between Market and Main Streets.

Brookville was the fourth village to be incorporated in Montgomery County. The other three were Germantown, Miamisburg and Vandalia.

One of the early acts of the village council was arranging for a soup-house for the accommodation of the tramps. Tramps had to cut their own wood.

The first village prison was erected on the right of way of the Dayton & Union Railway, one-half square north of Market Street, at a cost of $139.75, built by Noah Baker.

Brookville is now honoring its 150th year of incorporation and has grown and prospered over the years and has reached city status. Many thanks to the forefathers for their vision and foresight in helping make Brookville grow.

All information and the photo for this Look at Brookville article were supplied by the Brookville Historical Society.

Do you have a photo or historical information to share or add? Please contact the Brookville Historical Society at 937-833-0285 or email to [email protected]