St. Peter School

 The first school in this community began before 1840.  For several years prior to the Civil War, it was staffed by Sisters from Oldenburg.  German was the language and the culture.  Later, a schoolmaster took over and operated the school.  The two-story brick building pictured here housed the Sisters upstairs and the classrooms downstairs.  The Sisters had returned in 1875 and continued teaching here until this school, and its successor building were abandoned in 1971.  Later, a gymnasium was added to the front of this old two-story building.  Mrs. Clara BACK, the mother of Brookville residents, John, Harold, and David BACK, attended this school.  In those days, eighth grade graduates who had not attended the Brookville School were required to take an achievement test at the Franklin County Courthouse.  The year was 1913 and all the bridges over the Whitewater had been destroyed by the terrible flood of March in that year.  In order to reach the town and her appointment for her examination, Clara was forced to cross the river on a skiff.  This young woman really valued her educational opportunities and proved that statement by scoring one of the highest grades that year.

                                                                                                Elmer E. Peters, MD,

May 21, 1995