New Lebanon
The village of New Lebanon, though little more than a cross roads hamlet and railroad station, with a few stores, churches and school, has had a noteworthy history and in other ways than commercially has influenced the wrought upon the social and moral welfare of the county. For many years its relations to the county at large comprehended a well defined and 3effective position as an educational center, and also a prominence derived from its acknowledged place as the center of Methodist activities, and influence in the county. These relations have been elsewhere described, but aside from them New Lebanon's history may be briefly recalled.
The site of the town was originally owned by James Mason, Jesse Haddon, Robert Burnett and Thomas Springer, each one giving ten acres to make the plat. Thomas Springer kept the first store, and in 1836 was established the first post-office. At one time a saloon existed in the town, but it was the only one and had a brief existence, being inconsistent with the moral attitude of the town.
After the academy ceased to exist many of its ideals were continued in the public schools. The building in which the academy was taught was used by the township for the village schoolhouse, and is still standing back of the handsome brick schoolhouse that was erected a few years since. During the seventies the old academy building was considered one of the most commodious school buildings in the county.
Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 212.