Founding: The story of the founding of Brookfield starts centuries ago with the state of Connecticut. In 1786 Connecticut had "reserved" land claims in Northeast Ohio that were given to them by royal charter in 1662. The Connecticut Land Company was formed to sell the area of the Western Reserve territory in Ohio. Three million acres were offered to war survivor and soldiers and set aside for payment of damages that happened in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. The acres were divided and Samuel C. Hinckley paid $12,903.23 for 15,305 acres, and afterward the area was forever known as “Brookfield.” Native Americans of the Delaware tribe who had an encampment on the banks of Yankee Creek until 1840 called the area “Menshadowa Crebo” which meant land of many springs.
Growth: Between the years 1802 and 1813 there were many events taking place for the first time in the area. The first store was opened, 1st doctor moved into town, land for the 1st cemetery was set aside, and the 1st barn was built, taking 4 days to complete with the help of 200 people participating. The 1st grist and saw mills began to grow in 1808 through The Brockway Settlement, along with a wagon repair shop, and the 1st church. The 1st post office wasn’t established until the 1870s.
In 1836 the area started to become more industrialized with the appearance of the first blast stove in the area, and in 1838 coal mines were discovered, later known as the Big Drift Mine on Incline Hill. Coal mining production increased between the years 1860-1890, with a rate of up to 350 to 400 tons of coal mined daily. On July 11, 1877, however, 18 miners were killed due to the burning of a new coal that produced methane gas. The 1st automobile didn’t come into the area until 1905, owned by Dr. Leonard Wright.
The Brookfield population continued to grow steadily until 1869, where the township reached its peak population. The population then started a decline for the next half century.
Joshua Potts started the whiskey making business in the area of Five Points. The whiskey business took off, even making the township known as the “Whiskey Capitol of the Nation” owing to the 22 distilleries in the township during the 1880s. From the 1920’s to the early 1930’s, Brookfield was known nationally as “Little Canada.” Gambling, whiskey, murder and prostitution were in constant supply. Seven large stills were operated in the township and there were six “houses of ill repute” in Masury. John Dillinger was an infamous local resident who frequented the Green Parrot bar and Torma’s for card games.
Significant Changes: What is now known as Obermiyer Apartments was part of the Underground Railroad and owned by the President of the County Anti-Slavery Society. Nearly 60 slaves passed through the township between the 1830’s to the 1850’s. Here they found shelter in the old apartment building and were able to utilize the coal mine passages as a means of escape. The building was equipped with revolving cabinet doors, trapdoors and a secret chamber in the cellar to hide slaves.
The Idlewild Amusement Park opened in 1900 only to be destroyed in 1913 by a flood. In its day it was complete with a dance hall, Ferris wheel, and canoe rides on the lake formed by the dam. Yankee Lake Ballroom opened in 1928, entertaining many professional bands and is still open today.
Resources
Boozer. “The Brookfield That Was, 1994, Part Two,”
The Sharon Herald
H.Z. Williams. History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, pp. 346-357. 1882
Growth: Between the years 1802 and 1813 there were many events taking place for the first time in the area. The first store was opened, 1st doctor moved into town, land for the 1st cemetery was set aside, and the 1st barn was built, taking 4 days to complete with the help of 200 people participating. The 1st grist and saw mills began to grow in 1808 through The Brockway Settlement, along with a wagon repair shop, and the 1st church. The 1st post office wasn’t established until the 1870s.
In 1836 the area started to become more industrialized with the appearance of the first blast stove in the area, and in 1838 coal mines were discovered, later known as the Big Drift Mine on Incline Hill. Coal mining production increased between the years 1860-1890, with a rate of up to 350 to 400 tons of coal mined daily. On July 11, 1877, however, 18 miners were killed due to the burning of a new coal that produced methane gas. The 1st automobile didn’t come into the area until 1905, owned by Dr. Leonard Wright.
The Brookfield population continued to grow steadily until 1869, where the township reached its peak population. The population then started a decline for the next half century.
Joshua Potts started the whiskey making business in the area of Five Points. The whiskey business took off, even making the township known as the “Whiskey Capitol of the Nation” owing to the 22 distilleries in the township during the 1880s. From the 1920’s to the early 1930’s, Brookfield was known nationally as “Little Canada.” Gambling, whiskey, murder and prostitution were in constant supply. Seven large stills were operated in the township and there were six “houses of ill repute” in Masury. John Dillinger was an infamous local resident who frequented the Green Parrot bar and Torma’s for card games.
Significant Changes: What is now known as Obermiyer Apartments was part of the Underground Railroad and owned by the President of the County Anti-Slavery Society. Nearly 60 slaves passed through the township between the 1830’s to the 1850’s. Here they found shelter in the old apartment building and were able to utilize the coal mine passages as a means of escape. The building was equipped with revolving cabinet doors, trapdoors and a secret chamber in the cellar to hide slaves.
The Idlewild Amusement Park opened in 1900 only to be destroyed in 1913 by a flood. In its day it was complete with a dance hall, Ferris wheel, and canoe rides on the lake formed by the dam. Yankee Lake Ballroom opened in 1928, entertaining many professional bands and is still open today.
Resources
Boozer. “The Brookfield That Was, 1994, Part Two,”
The Sharon Herald
H.Z. Williams. History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, pp. 346-357. 1882
