Historical Significance of the Flatiron Building

The Historical Flatiron Building was built circa 1830 directly on the 
National Road as a commercial structure. In addition to the age of the 
building, the unique shape (like an old-fashioned clothes iron) makes it 
a significant structure in the community. The building is the oldest 
structure on lower Market Street and is a contemporary of the early 
nineteenth century buildings on Brownsville's North Side (upper Market 
Street). These nineteenth century buildings are believed to be the oldest, 
most intact, commercial buildings west of the Allegheny Mountains. 



Thomas Brown, the founder of Brownsville, once owned the land of the Flatiron 
Building. Some of the former occupants of this commercial building 
include:  
the United States Post Office until 1920, the first library in town, a 
trolley stop, Simon Brown's tailor shop, Dee's Diner,  J.C. Majerchak's 
Bank, George Mulyar's Meat Market, Adam Jacob's' Insurance, and T.H. Patton's 
Office of Dentistry, plus many others.



Pike Boys performing in the Flatiron Building during Pike Days Festival

The Flatiron Building like the town of Brownsville has experienced 
ups and downs over its lifetime. In the summer of 1990, several Brownsville 
residents made inquiries concerning the fate of the Flatiron Building, 
which was standing vacant. Having heard rumors that the building was about 
to be demolished due to its deteriorated condition, the group approached 
Frank Ricco, the owner of the building. The group met with Mr. Ricco and 
left the meeting with a commitment from him to donate the building 
to a non-profit organization that would undertake restoration of the building. 
Mr. Ricco's only stipulation was that a plaque be placed in honor of 
his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Ricco. 

Inspired by Mr. Ricco's commitment, these few interested citizens approached 
the Historical Society and held the first of several public meetings 
to discuss the future of the Flatiron Building.  As a result of these 
meetings and an informational booth, which was housed at Nemacolin 
Castle during the Brownsville Heritage Festival, nearly fifty interested 
citizens were identified. 

This newly enlarged group began the task of identifying a non-profit 
organization to take on the project of restoring the Flatiron Building.  
The initial approach was made to the Brownsville Historical Society. 
Unfortunately, the Historical Society was unable to take on the project due 
to their heavy involvement in maintaining and operating Nemacolin 
Castle, another local historical site, which is on the National Register.  
The group then approached the Brownsville Area Revitalization Committee 
(BARC) for sponsorship of the project. At their December 1990 meeting, 
the BARC Board of Directors voted to undertake the Flatiron Project. 
BARC requested and received a six-month option on the property from Frank 
Ricco and received a $2,000 pre-development grant from the Mon Valley 
Initiative (a 17 member coalition of communities striving to revitalize) 
to secure the building for the winter.  A blue tarp was placed on the 
building to protect the damaged roof and broken windows from the rain and 
snows of the approaching winter season. 


The Heritage Center, opened in May of 1997, has been stressing the story of 
Road, River, and Rail in this region and how it relates to the 'Making of 
America'. A grant from the Steel Industry Heritage Corporation is currently 
being used to design and construct the needed furnishings to tell the 
stories of ROAD, RIVER, AND RAIL as it relates to the community and region.  
Our goal is to educate and attract visitors to enhance the Tourism 
Industry to create economic development. 

Artifacts are treasured by the committee of the Flatiron Building 
Heritage Center to provide the museum story told in the museum for research.  
Volunteers are registering all the artifacts and when funds are available, 
the artifacts will be given an accession number, computerized and available 
for public research. 


National Road Milemarker and Photo Display 

There is no fee to visit the museum, but donations are graciously 
accepted to help sustain the operation of the building. 

Funds have been provided by a variety of public and private sources to 
renovate the $600,000 Flatiron renovation project, including the following:  
Allegheny Foundation, America's Industrial Heritage Project, National Road 
Heritage Park, Steel Industry Heritage Corporation, PA State Capital 
Redevelopment Assistance Program, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum 
Commission, local banks, legislative grants, local fund raising efforts 
including "Club 29" (asking 1000 people to donate $29.00). 


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