Stories from the archives of Benson Memorial Library
Edwin Garnet Riley was born in Titusville in 1880 and became Titusville's first and only poet laureate. He traveled throughout the United States campaigning on behalf of education for African Americans and remains one of Titusville's most prominent historical figures.
In 1873, the German Reformed Church of Titusville requested a cannon used in the Franco-Prussian War from German Emperor Wilhelm I. He said yes and today, it is a bell of peace that still finds its home in Titusville.
The term UFO was coined in 1953 by the United States Air Force. Before then, unidentified objects were called "flying saucers," "flying discs," and even "flying flapjacks." Titusville and the surrounding areas had their fare share of UFO sightings. Most sightings occurred between 1952 and 1979.
One epidemic in the early 1900s killed more people than the entirety of World War I. In fact, this epidemic killed more people in the United States than the Civil War (620,000) or all other U.S. wars combined (644,000). What was this deadly and destructive force that wiped out millions the world over? A simple three-letter affliction that still kills people today: the flu.
One thing about the holidays that almost everyone loves is lights. Today, we will think about two of them - one from Christmas past and one from Christmas present: Millers' Display and the Lights at Burgess.
2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice between the Allies and Germany that ended the bloodshed of World War I. In commemoration of this event, we want to share with you the history of the namesakes of our local veterans organizations: Cleo J. Ross and Bruce Shorts.
Through houses, we find families. Lost to history, but waiting to be found, these families have much to tell us about the homes in which we live. Residents have reported spooky occurrences and feelings that just aren't quite right. Ready to explore haunted Titusville with us? Read on!
