Flatiron Building Heritage Center

The historical Flatiron Building was built circa 1830 directly on the National Road as a commercial structure. In addition to the historical age of the building, the shape takes the form of an old-fashioned clothing iron; it is a significant structure in the community. 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 town's first library, a trolley stop, Simon Brown's tailor shop, Dee's Diner, J.C. Majerchak's Bank, George Mulyar's Meat Market, Adam Jacobs' Insurance, and T. H. Patton's Office of Dentistry, among many others.

The Flatiron Building, like the town of Brownsville itself, has experienced ups and downs over its lifetime. In the summer of 1990, several Brownsville residents made inquiries concerning the fate of the vacant building. Having heard rumors that the building was about to be demolished due to its deteriorated condition, the group approached Frank Ricco, who then owned the building.