Brookville, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brookville, Pennsylvania
Borough
Downtown Brookville, November 2009
Location of Brookville in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Brookville, Pennsylvania Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Brookville, Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Jefferson
Settled	1796
Incorporated	1830
Government
• Type	Borough council
Area
• Total	3.24 sq mi (8.38 km2)
• Land	3.15 sq mi (8.15 km2)
• Water	0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation	1,273 ft (388 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,995
• Density	1,269.87/sq mi (490.37/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	15825
Area code(s)	814
FIPS code	42-09224

Brookville is a small town, called a borough, in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. It's about 70 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. In 2010, about 3,933 people lived there. Brookville was founded in 1830 and is the main town, or county seat, of Jefferson County.

History of Brookville

Early Settlers and Founding

The Brookville area was first settled in the late 1790s. Brothers Joseph and Andrew Barnett, along with Samuel Scott, started the first settlement. This was where the Sandy Lick and Mill Creeks meet, in a place now called Port Barnett.

The first non-Native American settler within what is now Brookville was Moses Knapp. In 1801, he built a log house where the North Fork Creek and Sandy Lick Creek join to form Redbank Creek.

Brookville During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, a group of volunteer soldiers called the 105th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was formed in Brookville. They were also known as the Wildcat Regiment. This group fought in important battles like Chancellorsville.

Growth from Lumber and Industry

In the 1800s, the main way Brookville grew was through the lumber industry. The town had many creeks that connected to bigger rivers like the Clarion River and Allegheny River. This allowed people to build many lumber mills. They could also float timber down the rivers to sell in Pittsburgh.

Brookville became very successful in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It had factories, breweries, and was an important stop for trains carrying coal and timber. For a short time, from 1905 to 1907, the Twyford Motor Car Company was in Brookville. They made the world's first car with four-wheel drive!

Geography of Brookville

Where is Brookville Located?

Brookville is in the western part of Jefferson County. It sits where the North Fork and Sandy Lick Creek come together to form Redbank Creek. This creek flows west towards the Allegheny River.

Major Roads and Travel

U.S. Route 322, also known as Main Street, goes right through the middle of Brookville. This road connects Brookville to other towns like Reynoldsville (12 miles southeast) and Clarion (16 miles west).

Interstate 80 runs along the northern edge of Brookville. You can get on or off I-80 at exits 78 and 81. I-80 goes east to DuBois (20 miles) and west towards Interstate 79 near Mercer (60 miles). Other state routes like Pennsylvania Route 28, Pennsylvania Route 36 also pass through or near Brookville, connecting it to many other communities.

Elevation and Area

Brookville is in the Eastern Standard Time zone. The lowest part of town, in the Redbank Creek valley, is about 1,273 feet above sea level. The hills around the valley rise higher, from 1,460 to 1,600 feet.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Brookville covers a total area of about 3.24 square miles. Most of this area, about 3.15 square miles, is land. The rest, about 0.09 square miles, is water.

Population of Brookville

In 2000, there were 4,230 people living in Brookville. There were 1,849 households, which are groups of people living together. About 28% of these households had children under 18.

The population was spread out in terms of age. About 22% were under 18 years old. About 20.5% were 65 years or older. The average age in Brookville was 41 years.

Economy and Local Attractions

Industries and Businesses

Brookville still has a strong lumber industry. While coal mining was once important, now natural gas extraction is a key industry. The town is home to many small and medium-sized businesses. It also has some important manufacturing companies.

Interstate 80, a major highway across the United States, runs just north of Brookville. This highway helps the local economy by bringing in visitors and businesses. One notable company is Brookville Equipment, which has been making locomotives and light rail cars since 1918.

Places to Visit

The Brookville Historic District is a popular attraction. It's a part of town with many old, important buildings. Brookville is also known as the "Gateway to Cook Forest". This state park, about 16 miles north, is famous for its beautiful old-growth trees.

Arts and Culture in Brookville

Brookville Presbyterian Church from an old postcard

Historic Sites

Several buildings and areas in Brookville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Brookville Historic District, the Brookville Presbyterian Church and Manse, the Gray-Taylor House, the Joseph E. Hall House, and the Phillip Taylor House. These places help tell the story of Brookville's past.

Festivals and Events

Brookville hosts the Western Pennsylvania Laurel Festival every year since 1957. This event usually happens in the third week of June. It includes a pageant, a carnival, a parade, food, crafts, and live music.

The Jefferson County Fair is held every July just outside Brookville. In late November or early December, the town celebrates with a Victorian Christmas Celebration on Main Street. You can also enjoy movies at the Moonlite All-American Drive-in Theater, which is open from spring to fall.

Outdoor Activities

The northern end of the Redbank Valley Trails starts in Brookville. This is a 51-mile trail where you can walk, bike, or run. It connects to other trails, like the Armstrong Trail, and eventually to larger trail systems like the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail.

The Scripture Rocks Heritage Park is a free outdoor area. It's maintained by the Jefferson County Historical Society. Here, you can hike through a forest and see 67 sandstone boulders. A man named Douglas M. Stahlman carved religious messages into these rocks between 1910 and 1913.

Education in Brookville

The Brookville Area School District provides public education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district has several schools:

• Brookville Area Jr./Sr. High School (grades 7-12)
• Hickory Grove Elementary School (grades 3-6)
• Pinecreek Elementary School (grades 1-2)
• Northside Elementary School (Kindergarten)

Students from Brookville can also attend the Jefferson County-DuBois Area Vocational-Technical School (JEFF TECH). This school offers career and technical training for high school students and adults.

Media in Brookville

• Brookville Mirror, a local newspaper
• Mega Rock 105.5, a radio station

Notable People from Brookville

• James G. Arner, a Pennsylvania judge
• Jack Arthurs, a businessman and state legislator
• DeVeren Bookwalter, an actor and director
• Carl C. Cable, a public works engineer
• Thomas Canning, a composer and music educator
• Mal Eason, a professional baseball player
• James C. Harding, a United States Air Force colonel and pilot
• Andy Hastings, an American football player
• George A. Jenks, a Pennsylvania legislator and U.S. Solicitor General
• Bob Olderman, an American football player
• Lewis Earle Sandt, the first person to fly across Lake Erie to deliver mail
• Bob Shawkey, a famous MLB pitcher who won 195 games
• Nathan Smith, an American amateur golfer
• Albert C. Thompson, a Civil War officer, U.S. Representative, and judge

Images for kids

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  Location of Brookville in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

See also

In Spanish: Brookville (Pensilvania) para niños