Bleakley Block - 1233-1239 Liberty Street

Built in 1878 for James Bleakley whose earliest years were devoted to the establishment of a local newspaper called the Democratic Arch. In 1864 he was instrumental in the development of the First National Bank and later the International Bank. Since that time this ornate building has seen many changes. In 1906 Limber Brothers Bakery occupied the storefront on the right. Excited residents welcomed the J.C. Penney Co. department store in 1923 and continued to serve the residents of Franklin umtil its move to the mall in Cranberry Township. Another pleasant memory of days gone bye is the Isaly's Dairy and skyscraper ice cream cones.