Lew Wallace Elementary School

 A three-man school board in 1932 consisting of Herman WALTHERS, president, Ed WISSEL, secretary, and A.J. SHRINER, treasurer, was faced with a difficult situation: Severe overcrowding of the existing school building, combined with the paucity of available funds in the midst of the very severe depression at that time, did not combine for making a favorable environment for erecting a new building.  Nevertheless, in 1932, the decision was made to erect a new building for the elementary classes plus a new and large basketball gymnasium.  After suffering through several decades of basketball played in a very small and antiquated gym, the public eagerly anticipated the first game to be held in the new facility.  The honor of playing the first game was extended to our county rivals from Springfield Consolidated Schools.  The visitors so appreciated the honor that they repaid the host school with a lop-sided beating.  Friendly rivals that they were, few if any could at that time foresee that, half a century later, these two school would be united, together with Laurel and Whitewater, into the present grand Franklin County High School. 

 Hanna POPPER, whose family operated a retail-clothing store in Brookville for more than a century, taught elementary education in Franklin County schools for many generations.  This lady is fondly remembered not only for her teaching but also for her many acts of beneficence.

                                                                                                Elmer E. Peters, MD,

May 21, 1995