BROOKVILLE — In September 1944, the Stanley Manufacturing Company of Dayton, rented the D.C. Albert Leaf Tobacco warehouse at the west end of Baker Street and began to manufacture moisture proof paper bags on a government contract.

This was the first time that women in Brookville had an opportunity to aid the war effort. Fifty women were needed for the clean work in a well-lighted and heated building. It was advertised as light factory work, in pleasant surroundings and an unusually clean environment. The Stanley Company offered one year of steady employment.

In March 1945, thirty more women were urgently needed in this new department. The advertisement stated that if you were from 18 to 65 and available, you were requested to apply at the plant on Baker Street at once.

In June 1945, due to the increased demands of the Army Air Force for vapor, moisture proof bags like those being made in Brookville, it became necessary to immediately place in operation a complete second shift in the Brookville Plant.

Their product was extremely critical war work. They manufactured vapor-proof bags which made it possible to ship airplane parts, motors, radar and radio equipment, engine parts and other replacement equipment to the South Pacific and have it arrive there in a dry useable condition, plus it kept the contents in a useable condition until such time as it would be used.

All information and the photo for this Look at Brookville article were supplied by the Brookville Historical Society. Do you have a photo or historical information to share or add? Please contact the Brookville Historical Society at 937-833-0285 or email to [email protected].