Mansfield in Richland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Brooks' Room
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
1. Brooks' Room Marker
"Dear Fellas, I can't believe how fast things move on the outside. I saw an automobile once when I was young. Now they're everywhere. The world went and got in a big damn hurry. People even talk faster and louder.
The parole board got me into this halfway house called The Brewster, and a job bagging groceries at the Foodway. It's hard work. I try to keep up, but my hands hurt most of the time. I don't think the store manager likes me very much.
Sometimes after work I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep thinking Jake might show up and say hello, but never does. I hope wherever he is, he’s doing okay and making new friends.
I have trouble sleeping at night. The bed is too big. I have had bad dreams, like I'm falling. I wake up scared. Sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am.
Maybe I should get me a gun and rob the Foodway, so they'd send me home. I could shoot the manager while I was at it, sort of like a bonus. But I'm too old for that sort of nonsense anymore.
I don't like it here. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. I've decided not to stay. I doubt they'll kick up any fuss, not for an old crook like me."
-Brooks
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Law Enforcement.
Location. 40° 47.037′ N, 82° 30.154′ W. Marker is in Mansfield, Ohio, in Richland County. Located in the former Ohio State Reformatory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield OH 44905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); East Cell Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ohio State Reformatory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lt. Col. Jared Mansfield (approx. 1.8 miles away); First Religious Service (approx. 1.8 miles away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mansfield Blue Star Mothers War Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); Richland County Korean War Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mansfield.
Also see . . .
1. The Ohio State Reformatory. (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Shawshank Redemption. Wikipedia article on the film (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. James Whitmore
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
2. Brooks Was Here...So Was Red
Replica of the prop from the movie.
4. James Whitmore at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
3. Brooks' Room
Cut out of Brooks and the bulkhead above.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
4. Brooks Was Here...So Was Red
Actual prop from the movie
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel
5. James Whitmore's Brooks Character and Profile photo
"In 1952, Brooksie, who had killed his wife and daughter after a losing streak at poker back when Coolidge was President, was paroled. As usual, the State and its wisdom had let him go long after any chance he might have had to become a useful part of society was gone...Shawshank was his world." (King's "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption")
Director Darabont, "a big fan of Whitmore since the age of 5...was ecstatic in landing Whitmore for the part." Durabont made Brooks a much more substantial character in the movie because "he helped illustrate what King was talking about in the story, being institutionalized."
Director Darabont, "a big fan of Whitmore since the age of 5...was ecstatic in landing Whitmore for the part." Durabont made Brooks a much more substantial character in the movie because "he helped illustrate what King was talking about in the story, being institutionalized."
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
