Told and Researched by Mick Wilz 

In 1967, when I was 12 years old, my parents bought a farm in Brookville, Indiana, as a weekend getaway. I had already developed a love for history and I quickly discovered that Brookville was a community rich with stories from its past.

In 1980, I married my wife, Jenny, in the Little Cedar Grove Baptist Church—the oldest church in Indiana still standing on its original foundation. Built in 1812, it remains a remarkable link to our state’s early days.

By the mid-1980s, Jenny and I had joined the Franklin County Historical Society, where I served as president for several terms. During this time, I became captivated by the history of the Whitewater Canal between Metamora and Brookville. That passion eventually led to the formation of the Whitewater Canal Trail Inc. in 2004 to help preserve and interpret the canal’s story.

While my early focus was on the “bigger picture” of building a trail along the canal, historians like Don Dunaway and Doc Peters—both from Franklin County—would often remind me not to forget the history of Boundary Hill. At the time, I kept their advice in the back of my mind.

Things changed in 2023, when our family took ownership of Boundary Hill. By then, my interest in its history had deepened. In 2019, we also became co-owners of Whitewater Publications, the oldest weekly newspaper still printed in Indiana. (For perspective, I even have a Brookville newspaper dated 1817 in my personal collection.)

With decades of old newspapers now at my fingertips—both in our archives and online—the search for the history of Boundary Hill began in earnest. Below is a timeline of headlines related to Boundary Hill and the surrounding area. Most of these stories come from papers printed in Brookville, Indiana, with notes included when they are from other publications.

Boundary Hill – Timeline of News Articles

• May 25, 1896 – Two cows belonging to Amos Butler were killed at Boundary one day recently by a train known as the Cannon Ball.
• September 24, 1896 – A political speech was held atop Boundary Hill by David W. McKee.
• April 7, 1898 – Boundary Hill was one of the prominent points established by General Wayne to separate the lands of the Indians. Now the Big Four Railroad cuts through this historic hill, and the Whitewater Canal that used to circle around its base is dried up. There were battles on the side of this hill and many bloody affairs at its top. In 1814, James Noble and Elliott Herndon met here to fight a duel with bayonets, but were arrested and fined instead.
• July 31, 1902 – Fifty shocks of oats were destroyed by fire last Thursday on the farm of Adam Tragesser near Boundary Hill. Sparks from a Big Four engine started the fire.
• 1905 – Report of Inquest: The dead body of Conrad B. Keller was found lying beside the Big Four railroad tracks near Boundary Hill.
• April 30, 1908 – The Town of Brookville looks to see if the water still flowing through the canal at Boundary Hill would be enough to generate electric power for the street lights in Brookville.
• October 29, 1908 – Notice: No hunting or trespassing allowed on the Boundary Hill farm. — William Drewes.
• April 4, 1912 – Years ago, Brookville was an Indian trading post, and a favorite camping ground of the red man was Boundary Hill, two miles west of town. This hill received its name from being part of the line established by Gen. Wayne dividing the lands of the Indian and white man.
• April 4, 1912 – Years ago, the old Brookville Pike leading over Boundary Hill was the first state road leading to Indianapolis. Many statesmen of the day walked to the session of the Legislature over this road.
• April 4, 1912 – Do you want a delightful ride? Go over Boundary Hill or go up Butler Run and come around by the reservoir, then look down on beautiful Brookville nestled between the hills and the rivers.
• 1915 – Early History of Boundary Hill: “Boundary Hill” was at some remote time a campsite, for at that place are found graves, small mounds, and the stone implements of a race of natives who have long since passed over the Great Divide.
• August 2, 1917 – Sale of Real Estate at public auction: 236 acres, more or less, known as the Boundary Hill Farm.
• August 16, 1917 – The Boundary Hill Farm of 236 acres was sold on Saturday by Frank Wiwi to William Drewes for $10,250.
• August 4, 1919 – Notice to Contractors: Sealed bids will be received for construction of the public highway in Brookville Township, including to the top of what is known and called Boundary Hill, at or near the old Indian Boundary Line.
• October 24, 1924 – Miss Elliot, with the Indiana History Commission, suggested that the club vote to place a marker at the top of Boundary Hill. She emphasized the importance of saving this history. The ballots were approved.
• August 30, 1928 – Death of child due to poisoning from white snakeroot near Boundary Hill.
• 1929 – State Policeman Smith in auto accident on Boundary Hill. It is reported that a casting on the steering gear broke, causing him to lose control.
• November 22, 1934 – The Academy of Science, founded by Amos W. Butler, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a dinner in Brookville and a side trip to Boundary Hill to inspect the rocks and flora there.
• June 27, 1946 – Lee Elder dies in a plunge down Boundary Hill.
• May 27, 1948 – Tractor-trailer overturns west of Brookville; driver escapes flaming cab in Boundary Hill crash.
• July 8, 1954 – A large black snake, six feet in length, attacked Miss Gertrude Wehrle, striking and biting her on the limb three times.
• July 14, 1955 – Peppertown man loses life on Boundary Hill in a head-on collision with a truck.
• August 4, 1955 – A dedication was held and a historical marker was placed at the base of Boundary Hill along U.S. 52.
• 1973 – The Whitewater Canal, including the cut through Boundary Hill, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1980s The Railroad tracks were pulled up bringing the end to rail traffic between Brookville and Metamora. I am looking for the exact date.Mick 
• 2023 The Wilz Family purchased the boundary Hill farm from the Alig family.
• April 8, 2024 A large group of families and friends gathered a top Boundary Hill along with a photographer from Chicago, Illinois to view the total eclipse of the sun.