City of Middletown history

The park originally opened as Columbia Park, which was privately owned, in 1894.

The new station opened in 1897.

Thrall Library on Orchard Street opened in January of 1901 on the site of the old Orchard Street School.

An interurban rail line between Louisville and Shelbyville was established in 1910 making it possible for workers to commute easily to jobs in the larger city.

Calbraith Perry Rogers made aviation history in 1911 when he became the first person to cross the United States by plane.

The hospital closed when Horton Hospital opened in 1929.

The flag was eventually placed in the Middletown Library then on North Street, moved to Thrall Library Building when it opened on Orchard Street, and finally to the Historical Society in 1941 where it remains on display.

Radio station WALL began broadcasting from Middletown August 2, 1942.

Fancher-Davidge Park at the end of Lake Avenue was formally dedicated by the city on July 4, 1943.

14, 1946, but the first floor remains.

Orange County Community College opened 1950 in the former mansion of Webb Horton on South Street.

In 1955, the Common Council began discussion of an Urban Renewal Program.

When the original Orange Plaza opened on Route 211 in 1972, most of Middletown’s long-time retailers eventually moved from downtown or closed.

Middletown later became the site of a large railroad yard and shop facilities for the line which was abandoned in 1957. It was later purchased by the Erie, inherited by Conrail, and abandoned in 1978.

The new Middletown Thrall Library opened February 12, 1995.