Brookville Township in Franklin County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Franklin County Seminary

Erected 1829-1830

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

1. Franklin County Seminary Marker

Inscription. Purchased by Town of Brookville in 1863. Used for school purposes both public and private until 1873. John Tarkington, father of Booth Tarkington, distinguished Indiana author, attended school here.

Erected 1963 by Franklin County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 39° 25.174′ N, 85° 0.526′ W. Marker is in Brookville, Indiana, in Franklin County. It is in Brookville Township. It is at the intersection of East 5th Street and Mill Street, on the right when traveling east on East 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 E 5th St, Brookville IN 47012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Maurice Thompson Birthplace (a few steps from this marker); Franklin County American Revolution Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brookville Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Courthouse Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Loyalty and Service to the People of Franklin County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Franklin County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Franklin County War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abram Hammond (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookville.

Regarding Franklin County Seminary.

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Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the site (Note: A seminary was a non-religious, private secondary school at the time):

The Franklin County Seminary was an undifferentiated secondary school to fulfill the requirements of Sections Two and Three of Article Nine of Indiana's l8l6 Constitution. Sixty three Indiana County Seminaries were constructed and lots acquired in ten more counties, reflecting 73 of the then 91 counties with seminary programs, being 80% effective. The Franklin County Seminary, authorized in 1829 and incorporated in 183Q, opened in 1831 and closed as a County Seminary by mandate of the 1851 Constitution.

Also see . . . Franklin County Seminary. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Submitted on June 17, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

2. Franklin County Seminary Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.