Join the Sharon Historical Society and the Brookfield Branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library for a special afternoon lecture with author and historian Taylor Galaska on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 am.
Galaska will discuss his acclaimed book, The Magic City: The Men, Mills, and Homes of a Company Town Forged In Steel, an in-depth exploration of the history of Farrell, Pennsylvania — formerly known as South Sharon — and the steel industry that shaped the Shenango Valley. The program comes as the City of Farrell celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2026.
Published by the Sharon Historical Society through Shenango Heritage Press, the full-color book chronicles the rise of Farrell as a booming steel town, the powerful industrial leaders behind its success, the immigrant workers who built the mills, and the grand mansions and modest homes that defined life in the “Magic City.” The book also examines the region’s labor struggles, rapid growth, and lasting industrial legacy.
Taylor Galaska is President of the Board of Directors of the Sharon Historical Society and has become widely known throughout the region for his research and preservation of local history and architecture. A Sharon native, Galaska has authored several books on Shenango Valley history and has led numerous lectures, tours, and preservation initiatives through the Society. Founded in 2013, the Sharon Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of the Shenango Valley through educational programming, publications, and restoration projects.
This program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. It will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Brookfield Branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 7032 Grove Street, Brookfield, OH 44403.
Copies of The Magic City can be purchased before or after the lecture, or at Gifted at Applegate (across from the library), Dot Ju’s next to Gilbert’s Risk Solutions, and Daffin’s Candies flagship location in Sharon.