Pottsville is the only city in and the
county seatA county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of
Schuylkill County-Notable people:*Boxing heavyweight great Muhammad Ali had his training camp in Deer Lake.*Charles Justin Bailey, commanding general of the 81st Division in World War I, was born in Tamaqua on June 21, 1859....
,
PennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 15,549 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the west bank of the
Schuylkill RiverThe Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
, 97 miles (156.1 km) north-west of
PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. It is located in Pennsylvania's
Coal RegionThe Coal Region is a term used to refer to an area of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the central Appalachian Mountains comprising Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Carbon, Schuylkill, Northumberland, and the extreme northeast corner of Dauphin counties....
, named for the abundance of
anthracite coalAnthracite is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high luster...
.
Pottsville is not to be confused with
PottstownPottstown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States northwest of Philadelphia and southeast of Reading, on the Schuylkill River. Pottstown was laid out in 1752–53 and named Pottsgrove in honor of its founder, John Potts. The old name was abandoned at the time of the...
, a borough in
Montgomery CountyMontgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
approximately 40 miles (64.4 km) northwest of Philadelphia.
Early settlement
By the Charter of Charles II, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, to his trustie and well beloved subject, William Penn, Esq., sonne and heire of Sir William Penn, for the Colony of Pennsylvania, the grantee,
William PennWilliam Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, was given power and authority to erect counties, in the following words: "And we do further for us, our heires and successors, give and grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assignees, free and absolute power to divide the said countrey and islands into townes, into boroughes and counties, etc.," whereupon William Penn did divide the Province into three counties, Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester.
The last comprised all lands west and south of the Delaware and the Schuylkill; therefore the site of Pottsville was originally in
Chester County-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
. When the legislative Council, on 10 May 1729, enacted the law erecting the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which included all the lands of the Province lying westward of a straight line drawn northeasterly from the headwaters of Octorara Creek (near the southern borders) marked with blazed trees, to the
Schuylkill RiverThe Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
, then this placed Pottsville in Lancaster County. By enactment of the same Council, approved on 11 March 1752, the
Berks County-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
was erected; this placed Pottsville within the limits of that county.
Pottsville's
anthracite coalAnthracite is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high luster...
history began in 1790 when it was discovered by hunter Necho Allen. Legend has it that Allen fell asleep at the base of the Broad Mountain, and woke to the sight of a large fire; his campfire had ignited an outcropping of coal. By 1795 an anthracite-fired iron furnace was established on the
Schuylkill RiverThe Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
.
19th century
In 1806 John Pott purchased the furnace. By an act of Assembly of the Commonwealth approved March 1, 1811, the County of Schuylkill was erected out of portions of Berks and Northampton; this placed the site of Pottsville in Schuylkill County. The town was formally laid out in 1816 by a local surveyor, Henry Donnell. Pottsville was established as a village in Norwegian Township in 1819 and incorporated as a borough on February 19, 1828.
In 1829, D.G. Yuengling & Son established the oldest operated family
beerBeer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
breweryA brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1851 Pottsville became the county seat, the original county seat being
OrwigsburgOrwigsburg is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. Named for its founder, Peter Orwig, from West Brunswick Township in 1823. The population was 3,106 at the 2000 census...
.
The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, which has its roots in the
Philadelphia and Reading Railway CompanyThe Reading Company , usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states...
, the remnants of which were acquired in the late 20th century by the
Reading Anthracite CompanyReading Anthracite Company is a coal mining company based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in the United States. It mainly mines anthracite coal in the Coal Region of eastern Pennsylvania....
, acquired extentive coal lands and would become one of the most notable of the coal companies operating in Pennsylvania until the demise of the anthracite industry after World War II.
Because of its location along the Schuylkill River, Pottsville developed a small textile industry. Out of this industry grew the
Phillips Van HeusenPVH Corp is an American apparel company, and the world's largest shirt company. It owns brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Van Heusen, Izod, Arrow, G. H...
company which was founded in 1881. Moses Phillips and his wife Endel began sewing shirts by hand and selling them from pushcarts to the local coal miners. Van Heusen and other textile companies left the region starting in the late 1970s, mainly as a result of foreign competition. Another element of the textile industry was the Tilt Silk Mill on Twelfth Street, which produced silk from silk worms imported from China which fed on mulberry trees in the building's solarium. The silk business eventually was eclipsed by the development of nylon stockings. The building still stands and is presently the headquarters of a storage and vehicle rental business.
20th century
During the
ProhibitionProhibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
period in the United States, under the
18th AmendmentThe Eighteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution established Prohibition in the United States. The separate Volstead Act set down methods of enforcing the Eighteenth Amendment, and defined which "intoxicating liquors" were prohibited, and which were excluded from prohibition...
, Yuengling stopped making beer and moved to production of "near beer". The three brews produced in this time were the Yuengling Special (the most popular brand), Yuengling Por-Tor (a version of their "celebrated Pottsville Porter"), and finally, the Yuengling Juvo, which was a cereal beverage. Then-owner Frank Yuengling also opened the Yuengling Dairy, which produced ice cream and other dairy products for the local area. These ventures helped to keep the company afloat during that period.
When the 18th Amendment was
repealedThe Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution repealed the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which had mandated nationwide Prohibition...
, Yuengling stopped production of "near beer" and resumed making alcoholic beverages. The brewery famously sent a truckload of its Winner Beer to the White House in 1933 as thanks to President
Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
for the
repeal of ProhibitionThe Repeal of Prohibition in the United States was accomplished with the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 5, 1933.-Background:...
. Yuengling still continues its family-owned business today. It is the second largest American-owned brewery, after the
Boston Beer CompanySamuel Adams is an American brand of beer brewed by the Boston Beer Company and its associated contract brewers. The company was founded in 1984 by Jim Koch, Harry M. Rubin, and Lorenzo Lamadrid in Boston, Massachusetts, USA...
, producer of
Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams is an American brand of beer brewed by the Boston Beer Company and its associated contract brewers. The company was founded in 1984 by Jim Koch, Harry M. Rubin, and Lorenzo Lamadrid in Boston, Massachusetts, USA...
beer. The Yuengling Dairy was operated by a different branch of the family than the Brewery. Business declined and the dairy folded as of 1985. Attempted buyouts by large conglomerate
breweriesA brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
have all been unsuccessful.
Pottsville was chartered as a third-class
cityA city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
on March 22, 1911.
Pottsville was host to a
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) franchise from 1925-1928. The
Pottsville MaroonsThe Pottsville Maroons were an American football team based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1920, they went on to play in the National Football League for four seasons, from 1925–1928...
played in Sportsman's Park (or
Minersville ParkMinersville Park was an American football stadium in Minersville, Pennsylvania, near Pottsville. It is most notable as the home field for the Pottsville Maroons football team from 1920 to 1928, including during their run in the National Football League from 1925 to 1928. It was a high school...
) in nearby
MinersvilleMinersville is located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, four miles west of Pottsville. Anthracite coal deposits are plentiful in the region. In 1900, 4,815 people lived here; in 1910, 7,240, people lived here; and in 1940, 8,686 people lived here...
, now the site of King's Village shopping plaza. The Maroons posted some of the best records in the NFL during the 1925 and 1926 seasons. The Maroons had a claim to the 1925 NFL championship, but
because of a controversial decisionThe 1925 National Football League Championship, officially held by the Chicago Cardinals, has been the subject of controversy since it was awarded. The controversy centers around the suspension of the Pottsville Maroons by NFL commissioner Joseph Carr, which prevented them from taking the title.The...
by NFL President Joe Carr, the title was instead awarded to the Chicago Cardinals. The Maroons suffered two more losing seasons before relocating to Boston and becoming the Boston Bulldogs. The Bulldogs folded in 1929.
Until the middle of the 20th century, Pottsville was a popular destination for many traveling acts and vaudeville performers. The 1929 film
Berth MarksBerth Marks is a 1929 short comedy starring Laurel and Hardy. The story involves Stan and Ollie as two musicians attempting to travel by train to Pottsville...
stars the comedy legends
Laurel and HardyLaurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
as they attempt to reach Pottsville by train for one of their booked performances.
In August 1997, the Pottsville Railway Park Little League all star team, managed by 42-year veteran Irv Shappell, made an impressive run to the Little League World Series in
Williamsport, PennsylvaniaWilliamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
by representing the U.S. East Region. The team glided through the Pennsylvania District 24 Tournament including defeating their cross-town rival Pottsville Rotary Little League 19-0. Following the District 24 Tournament Railway Park continued its impressive run through the PA Section 3 Tournament beating every team they played! Moving on to the Pennsylvania State Tournament which was held in Carbondale, PA; they suffered their first loss of the tournament to Berwyn-Paoli Little League only to bounce back the next night to win the State Crown which earned them a berth in the U.S. Eastern Region Tournament in
Bristol, ConnecticutBristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
. Defeating
ConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
twice, as well as teams from
Rhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
,
MaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, and
New JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
they played their final game before the Series against California-Hollywood,
MarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, defeating them 2-1 in a LIVE-televised game on
ESPN2ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
. Finally, in Williamsport for the World Series they defeated
Dyer, IndianaAs of the census of 2010, there were 16,390 people residing in the town. The population density was 2,731.67 people per square mile . There were 6,125 housing units at an average density of 1,020.83 per square mile...
1-0 in an extra inning game. The following evening they played
Bradenton, FloridaBradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
at Lamade Stadium before the largest crowd ever to watch a Non-championship game. The crowd was estimated at more than 35,000. Although they lost the game they played their final game against Mission Viejo, Southern California, losing to that team 3-1; one game shy of the United States Championship Game. The team returned home to a city-wide party and more than 200 fire trucks welcomed them back to town.
21st century
Today Pottsville is on the verge of revitalizing the downtown area. The city completed in 2007 a streetscaping project on Centre Street. In addition, the city plans on using the funds from the Elm Street project to revitalize Nichols Street. The city also is working on bringing the railroad back into center city for tourist excursions and is also planning to build a large transportation hub in the same location for bus service throughout the county. It will also accommodate Trailways and Greyhound Services. It will also be accommodated by a train station in the current Union Street Parking Lot.
Pottsville is also the home to the Great Pottsville Cruise which is held on the second Sunday of August each year. The Great American Way Fair is also held annually in early May. Each New Year's Eve the city sponsors the raising of the Yuengling Bottle to the top of the flagpole at Garfield Square to ring in the new year.
Topography
Pottsville is located at 40.685058°N 76.202747°W (40.685058, -76.202747).
According to the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²).It is all land; none of the area is covered in water. Although there are no lakes within the city there are several water courses which flow through the city. The Schuylkill River flows through the extreme southern part of the city near Mount Carbon. The West Branch of the Schuylkill River makes up the western border for the city. Within the city itself the West Branch of Norwegian Creek flows through the Fishbach section of the city and the East Branch of Norwegian Creek flows through the Jalappa section of the city. Joining together near Progress Avenue and Terry Reiley Way they form Norwegian Creek which flows underground through the heart of the city. The creek empties into the Schuylkill River at Mauch Chunk Street.
Pottsville is said to rest on seven hills, like ancient Rome. These seven hills are Lawton's Hill, Greenwood Hill, Bunker Hill (Sharp Mountain), Guinea Hill, Forest Hills, Cottage Hill and Mount Hope.
Climate
Demographics
City of Pottsville
Population by year |
| 1830 |
2,464 |
| 1840 |
4,345 |
| 1850 |
7,515 |
| 1860 |
9,444 |
| 1870 |
12,384 |
| 1880 |
13,264 |
| 1890 |
14,117 |
| 1900 |
N/A |
| 1910 |
20,236 |
| 1920 |
N/A |
| 1930 |
N/A |
| 1940 |
24,530 |
| 1950 |
23,630 |
| 1960 |
21,659 |
| 1970 |
19,715 |
| 1980 |
18,195 |
| 1990 |
16,603 |
| 2000 |
15,549 |
| 2010 |
14,324 |
As of the
censusA census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 15,549 people, 6,399 households, and 3,877 families residing in the city. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,697.4 people per square mile (1,426.0/km
2). There were 7,343 housing units at an average density of 1,746.1 per square mile (673.4/km
2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.73% White, 2.26% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.
There are 6,399 households, out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,137, and the median income for a family was $41,124. Males had a median income of $31,510 versus $21,433 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,165. About 10.1% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Neighborhoods
- Center City- Area consisting of Centre Street and Market Street from Garfield Square to Line Street and from Nichols Street to Mauch Chunk Street.
- Yorkville
Yorkville is a neighborhood located in the west end of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It begins at 16th St. in the city and continues westward to the West Branch of the Schuylkill River and the city limits. Mahantongo Street, once home to many prominent residents of Pottsville, is...
- located on the west side of the city, west of the Pottsville Area High SchoolPottsville Area High School is a coeducational public high school located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Pottsville Area School District and is the largest public high school in Schuylkill County. It was founded in 1853 and has an enrollment of approximately 1,250 students in ninth...
and west of 16th Street to the city line. Yorkville was a borough that merged with Pottsville in the early part of the Twentieth Century.
- Quinntown - Along W. Market Street, south and west of Garfield Square up to 16th Street.
- Lawton's Hill - East of Route 61, north of E. Norwegian Street.
- Greenwood Hill - East of Route 61, south of E. Norwegian Street.
- The Island - The area surrounding the former site of the Atkins Brothers furnace; near Washington Street and Route 61.
- Jalappa - North of Route 61 and east of Centre Street on the north side of town.
- Jalappa Heights - Scenic, elevated northeast corner of Jalappa.
- Fishbach - West of Jalappa, in the area between Centre Street and Peacock Street.
- Russelville - Along W. Market Street, north and west of Garfield Square up to 16th Street.
- Forest Hills - a residential development south of Mount Carbon.
- Forest Hills West - a residential neighborhood south of Mount Carbon and west of Forest Hills.
- Bunker Hill - south of Mahantongo Street from S. 2nd Street to S. 11th Street.
- Morrisville - South Centre Street from Mauch Chunk Street to the city line with Mount Carbon borough.
- Guinea Hill - A residential neighborhood which extends north of W. Arch Street to W. Laurel Blvd. and from N. 3rd Street westward to N. 12th Street.
- Cottage Hill - North of West End Avenue from N. 20th Street to Westwood Road. Subdivided into Cottage Hill West and Cottage Hill East.
- Hillside - Cressona Road from Hotel Street to the city line.
- York Farm - North of First Avenue to Mount Hope Avenue and from N. 16th Street west to the city line. (Also includes High Park Manor)
- Mount Hope - North of Laurel Boulevard to Fairmont Avenue and from N. Second Street to North 16th Street and Walter Griffith Avenue.
- Yorktowne - East of Westwood Road along Woodglen and Yorktowne Roads.
Parks and recreation areas
- Rotary Park - Located at South 20th & Mahantongo
"Mahantongo" is a Lenape word, translated "where we had plenty of meat to eat" or "good hunting grounds." The name is shared by a creek, a valley, and a mountain in central Pennsylvania, and is a common street name in the area...
Streets, is one of the largest recreational areas in the city. It includes Pottsville Rotary Little LeagueLittle League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
which can accommodate night games. Also, the park includes a basketball court. There is also playground equipment located on the Norwegian Street side of the park. The park has a fairly large grassy area. The park lacks shade trees.
- Railway Park - Located in the Yorkville
Yorkville is a neighborhood located in the west end of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It begins at 16th St. in the city and continues westward to the West Branch of the Schuylkill River and the city limits. Mahantongo Street, once home to many prominent residents of Pottsville, is...
section of Pottsville at the end of First Avenue the park includes the home of Railway Park Little League, the 1997 United States Eastern Region Champions of Little League Baseball.
- General George Joulwan East Side Park - Located on East Norwegian Street, the park is built in tiers along the hillside. In the past the park included the East Side swimming pool; but this has been demolished and now is home to a skate park. Basketball courts and playground equipment are also located in the park.
- Henry Clay Park - Located on South Second Street, high on the hilltop overlooking the south side of Pottsville is the Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
Monument. The park is relatively small with no benches or recreational equipment or fields. A larger park was originally planned to be built around it shortly after its construction, but it never materialized. However, the current park is small and quaint and many trees surround which provide a cool spot and a breath-taking view of South Centre Street and the Pottsville Hospital & Warne Clinic.
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Recreation Complex - It is the city's main park. It has an entrance on York Farm Road, it also has a Parking Lot which can handle moderate amounts of vehicles, two basketball courts, four tennis courts, and one volleyball court and is home to the JFK Memorial Pool, a community, non-membership pool, it also has a jogging/walking path which connects it to nearby Railway Park. The path has benches in shady, wooded areas. Many people feed the chipmunks and squirrels
The eastern gray squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada...
in the park, which make them not fear humans. You can whistle and they will come. The park also has a fairly large grassy area between the Sports Courts and the pool. Pets are permitted but must be on a leash. The same rules apply in other city park parcels. Also note that there are no pets premitted in the pool area. The complex is located near the Pottsville Area School District city school parcels.
- Yuengling Park - Located at South Tenth and Mahantongo
"Mahantongo" is a Lenape word, translated "where we had plenty of meat to eat" or "good hunting grounds." The name is shared by a creek, a valley, and a mountain in central Pennsylvania, and is a common street name in the area...
Streets, Yuengling Park is the location of the old spring house which was used for the Brewery back in the 19th Century. The park is filled with natural fountains, grass, flowers and benches and a large pavilion. The park has no playground facilities but provides a peaceful spot near the hub of the city.
- Bunker Hill Playground - Located between Schuylkill Avenue and Pierce St. the playground has updated their equipment but is a relaxing area to spend the day with the family.
- Barefield Outdoor Recreation Complex - This 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) recreation complex is located at the corner of North Centre Street and Terry Reiley Way in Pottsville. It features a full-size basketball court, horseshoe pits, putting green, and a sand volleyball court. Use of this facility is free to the public.
- Others - There are many other playgrounds located through the city, including, 17th Street Playground, 12th Street Playground, 11th & Arch Street Playground, Race Street Playground, Peacock Street Playground, Jalappa Playground, Fairview Street Playground, Main Street Playground, Greenwood Hill Playground, and Forest Hills Playground.
Suburbs (Greater Pottsville Area)
- Borough of Mount Carbon
- Borough of Port Carbon
- Borough of Mechanicsville
- Borough of Palo Alto
- Borough of Minersville
- Borough of New Philadelphia
- Borough of Middleport
- Blythe Township
- Village of Cumbola
- Village of Kaska
- East Norwegian Township
- Norwegian Township
- Village of Marlin
- Village of Seltzer
- Village of New Street
- Village of Mount Laffee
- Village of Fairlane
- North Manheim Township
- Village of Becksville
- Village of Connor's Crossing
- Branch Township
- Village of Dowdentown
- Village of Llewellyn
- Village of New Minersville
Points of interest
The City of Pottsville has many points of interest, including:
- Schuylkill County Courthouse (Tours Available) - N. Second Street & W. Laurel Blvd.
- Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
Monument - South 2nd Street
- Garfield Square Monuments - N. Fifth & W. Market Streets
- D. G. Yuengling & Son
D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest operating brewing company in the United States, established in 1829. It is one of the largest breweries by volume in the country, and is the second largest American-owned brewery after the Boston Beer Company, makers of Sam Adams beer...
Brewery - (Tours Available) - S. 5th and Mahantongo Streets
- Jerry's Classic Cars Museum - S. Centre Street near Mauch Chunk Street (Not exactly at the corner).
- Schuylkill County Historical Society - N. Centre Street & W. Race Street
- Jewish Museum of Eastern Pennsylvania - 2501 West End Avenue
- Garfield Diner - N. Fourth & W. Market Streets at Garfield Square
- General George Joulwan Monument - North Centre Street (just north of the Historical Society)
- Veterans' Memorial Stadium (Home of Pottsville Crimson Tide Football) - N. 16th & Elk Avenue (Behind Pottsville Area High School).
- John O'Hara Monument - S. Centre Street and W. Howard Avenue
- Veterans' Memorial - General George Joulwan Park, E. Norwegian & Anderson Sts.
- Pottsville Skatepark - E. Norwegian & Anderson Sts. (Joulwan Park)
- JFK Memorial Pool - York Farm Road @ High Park Manor.
- Sovereign Majestic Theater (Performing Arts) - N. Centre Street (half a block south of the Historical Society.)
- World War I Monument - W. Arch & N. 11th Sts.
Sports
Pottsville fielded a team in the
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
between 1925 and 1929 called the
Pottsville MaroonsThe Pottsville Maroons were an American football team based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1920, they went on to play in the National Football League for four seasons, from 1925–1928...
. There is considerable controversy over whether the Maroons should have been awarded the 1925 NFL Championship instead of the Chicago Cardinals, who they beat on the field.
A Pottsville team is referred to in the 2008 movie "Leatherheads" starring George Clooney.
Pottsville Area High School has several sports teams including, Pottsville Crimson Tide football, basketball, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, baseball, soccer and golf. Girls sports are represented by the Lady Tide teams. Pottsville also has two Little Leagues associated with Little League Baseball, Inc. in Williamsport; they are Pottsville (Rotary) Little League located at 20th and Mahantongo Streets and Railway Park Little League located at the end of First Avenue. Railway Park was the U.S. Eastern Regional representative in the 1997 Little League World Series. And then the 10 year olds won A district in 2007. Pottsville also has a Babe Ruth League for teenage boys as well as a Teener League. The American Legion also sponsors a program for boys in their late teens. The Diocese of Allentown also sponsors CYO programs at All Saints School. Nativity BVM High School also offers football, basketball, track and field and volleyball along with other sports to their students. The Nativity Golden Girls Basketball team has won several State Championships.
The Pottsville Crimson Tide football team is one of the oldest prep football programs in the country. At the end of the 2007 football season, Pottsville had played 1137 games, which tied them for first in the nation among prep games played with Williamsport, Pennsylvania and Steelton-Highspire, Pennsylvania. The height of the Pottsville Crimson Tide football team's success recently came between the years on 2004 through 2006. In 2004, the Tide won their first AAA District IX Title over Jim Thorpe. The 2004 team was followed in 2005 with what many call the "best Pottsville High team ever", which featured great athletes on both sides of the ball, went 13-2 overall (9-1 regular season), a second straight AAA District IX Title, state playoff game wins over Pennsylvania state powers Strath Haven and Manheim Central and an appearance in the program's first state title game on December 9, 2005 - a game they would lose 23-13 to AAA state champion Franklin Regional. The 2006 season was another successul season for the Tide, which featured two Big 33 selections, experienced a 13-3 overall record (8-2 regular season), a third straight AAA District IX Title, and another appearance in the PIAA AAA state championship game, where they once again lost to the eventual state champion, this time General McClane.
Pottsville also hosted a home game for the New York Giants.
The Nativity Golden Girls basketball team has had a history of success. The Golden Girls started a twenty year streak of sending a team from Schuylkill County to the Pennsylvania state championship game (1987 to 2006). In 1978, Nativity defeated Brentwood 70-49 for their first state title. They would appear in the state championship eight more times after the 1978 season totaling nine appearances overall. In 1990, they beat Bellwood Antis 54-40 to capture their second title. Nativity would return to the helm in 1999 winning their third title by defeating Bishop Guilfoyle 74-67. In 2000, the Golden Girls finished off an impressive undefeated season of 33-0 with a win over Saegertown 64-54 repeating as champions. In 2001, their attempt for a three peat fell two points short losing to Kennedy Christian in the title game by a score of 48-46. Nativity’s most recent championship came in 2006, which was also the last year of the twenty year span Schuylkill County had a representative in the state championship game, where the Golden Girls defeated Conemaugh Valley 53-49.
Pottsville's Railway Park
Little LeagueLittle League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
participated in the
Little League World SeriesThe Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
in 1997.
Fire Department
Pottsville's Fire Department is mostly volunteer. The only non-volunteer positions are the fire chief and four assistant chiefs.
The following is a list of fire companies in the city.
- Good Intent Fire Co No. 1 (Station 10)- S. Second & W. Division Sts.
- Phoenix Fire Co. No. 2 (Station 20)- E. Norwegian & Line Sts.
- Humane Fire Co. No. 1 (Station 30)- N. Third St. & W. Laurel Blvd.
- Good Will Fire Co. No. 4 (Station 40)- Nichols Street & Terry Riley Way- www.goodwill40.com
- West End Hose Co. No. 7 (Station 50)- N. 12th & W. Market St.
- Yorkville Hose Co. (Station 60)- N. 20th & W. Norwegian Sts.-www.yorkvillehose.com
- American Hose Co. No 2 (Station 70)- S. Fourth & W. Norwegian Sts.
www.pottsvillefire.com is the official website of the Pottsville Fire Department
Media
The Republican & HeraldThe Republican & Herald is a daily newspaper serving Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The newspaper is owned by Times-Shamrock Communications....
is the only local daily newspaper serving Pottsville. There are also three radio stations broadcasting from Pottsville.
- WAVT-FM
WAVT-FM is a radio station licensed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA. The station is currently owned by Pottsville Broadcasting Co. The station signed on on November 20, 1948. The station plays top 40 with broadcasts of local high school sports and Penn State football....
101.9-FM (Hot AC)
- WPAM
WPAM is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Rock music format known as "Phoenix 1450." Licensed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA. The station has been owned by Curran Communications since 1972.-References:...
1450-AM (Classic Rock)
- WPPA
WPPA is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the station has been owned by Pottsville Broadcasting Company since its debut on May 9, 1946 and features programing from CBS Radio Network, ESPN Radio, and Westwood One.-External links:...
1360-AM (Talk & Sports)
The following is a list of other radio stations which can be heard in the Pottsville area:
FM
- 91.9 WGRC
WGRC is a contemporary Christian music formatted radio station located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.In addition to its primary frequency, WGRC can be heard on several translators and relay stations in north central PA, and streaming on the internet....
(ChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
)
- 92.5 WXTU
WXTU is a Country music formatted radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. It is the largest country radio station in the United States based on listener cume . The station plays a variety of country music, including current hits, as well as older hits...
(CountryCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
)
- 93.3 WMMR
WMMR is an active rock radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, broadcasting at 93.3 MHz FM. The station is owned by Greater Media....
(Active RockActive rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
)
- 93.7 WSTW
WSTW is a Pop Contemporary Hit Radio formatted radio station that broadcasts in the Wilmington, Delaware metropolitan area which is just south of Philadelphia. Although the station and transmitter are located in Wilmington, the signal is strong enough to provide city-grade coverage of most of...
(Top-40)
- 94.1 WIP-FM (Sports talk)
- 94.5 WDAC
-External links:...
(ChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
)
- 95.1 WZZO
WZZO, popularly known as "95.1 WZZO", is a popular rock radio station located in Whitehall Township, outside of Allentown, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States.WZZO broadcasts locally at 95.1 MHz FM...
(Mainstream RockMainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
)
- 95.7 Ben-FM WBEN-FM
WBEN-FM, known as "95.7 Ben FM," is an adult hits station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station plays a mix of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s hits, with some current hot adult contemporary rock singles. Named after Benjamin Franklin, the station pioneered a "Playing Anything We Feel Like" radio...
(Adult HitsAdult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
)
- 96.1 Cat Country WCTO
WCTO is a radio station based in Easton. WCTO is owned by Cumulus Media and serves the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.The station offers a country music format, playing country music from the 1980s through to the present...
(CountryA country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
)
- 96.5 Wired 96.5 WRDW
WRDW-FM, also known as Wired 96.5, is a Philadelphia radio station owned by Beasley Broadcast Group that plays a Rhythmic Top 40 musical format. Although they lean towards R&B/Hip-Hop, Wired also adds Rhythmic Pop tracks to their playlist...
(Hip-Hop)
- 96.9 FM97 WLAN
WLAN-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Reading, Pennsylvania, York, Pennsylvania, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA...
(Top-40)
- 97.3 The River WRVV
WRVV is an FM radio station broadcasting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Its format is classic hits broadcasting on 97.3 MHz with a power of 15 kilowatts from the WHP-TV tower in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania. Its slogan is "The River 97.3 WRVV, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Lebanon: Rock without...
(RockRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
)
- 97.5 The Fanatic WPEN-FM (Sports)
- 97.9 The X WBSX
WBSX is a FM radio station licensed to the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, broadcasting to the Scranton/Wilkes Barre/Hazleton radio market on 97.9 MHz. WBSX airs an active rock music format branded as "97-9 X" .-History:...
(Active RockActive rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
)
- 98.1 WOGL
WOGL is an FM radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.The station plays mostly post 1964 pop leaning Oldies positioned Classic Hits music, including Motown, soul and rock and roll spanning roughly 1964–1985. An occasional pre-1964 song is played. WOGL is owned by CBS Radio...
Oldies 98(OldiesOldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
)
- 99.9 The Hawk WODE
WODE-FM is a radio station located in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, in the United States. The station broadcasts on 99.9 FM, and is popularly known as 99-9 The Hawk....
(Classic HitsClassic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
)
- 100.3 The Beat WPHI(Hip-Hop)
- 100.7 WLEV
-External links:*...
(Soft RockSoft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
)
- 101.1 B101 WBEB
WBEB is a radio station broadcasting a Soft Rock/Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it serves the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. It first began broadcasting in 1963 under the call sign WDVR. The station is currently owned by Jerry Lee...
(Soft RockSoft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
)
- 101.3 The Rose WROZ
WROZ is 101.3 The Rose in Lancaster, Pennsylvania serving Lancaster, York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They play recent adult contemporary music like Rob Thomas, The Fray, Daughtry, Gwen Stefani, Nickelback, and Sheryl Crow just to name a few. They position themselves as 101 The Rose "An Upbeat...
(Soft RockSoft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
)
- 102.5 Y-102 WRFY
WRFY-FM, known popularly as "Y102", is a Rock formatted radio station in Reading, Pennsylvania. Its signals reaches to Philadelphia in the south and Allentown, Pennsylvania in the east. It is owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications....
(Mainstream RockMainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
)
- 102.9 WMGK
WMGK, known as "Classic Rock 102.9 MGK" or "Philadelphia's Classic Rock: 102.9 MGK", is a Classic rock formatted radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station features popular Philadelphia radio personality John DeBella and former Howard Stern Show censor Andre Gardner. ...
(Classic RockClassic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
)
- 104.5 WRFF
WRFF is a modern rock FM radio station located in and licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and is known on-air as "Radio 104.5."-WRCP-FM:...
(Modern RockModern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
)
- 105.5 WMGH-FM
WMGH, known as Magic 105.5, is an FM radio station in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Its signal reaches to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and Reading, Pennsylvania. WMGH broadcasts an adult contemporary format...
Magic 105 (Adult Contemporary)
- 105.7 The X WQXA
WQXA-FM is a commercial radio station in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, broadcasting on 105.7 FM. The station was formerly known as Q106 in the 80s and later became a dance station, known as Hot 105.7 in the early 90s. The format was then changed to an active rock music format branded as first "105.7 The...
(Active RockActive rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
)
- 106.7 Mix 106.7 (Variety/Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
)
- 107.5 WBYN - FM 107.5 WBYN-FM (Christian Radio
Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering...
)
AM
- 560 WFIL
WFIL is a radio station and a former television station serving the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its transmitter is located in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania....
-AM (Religious)
- 610 WIP
WIP or Wip may refer to:* Fraser-Winter Park , train station in Colorado, United States* Warner Independent Pictures, a division of Time/Warner...
-AM (Sports)
- 830 WEEU
WEEU is a news/talk station in Reading, Pennsylvania. The station broadcasts at 830 kHz on the AM band with 20,000 watts of power daytime and 6,000 watts of power during nighttime. The station uses five broadcast towers to create different directional signal patterns for daytime and nighttime...
-AM (TalkTalk may refer to:* Conversation, interactive communication between two or more people* Speech, the production of a spoken language* Interaction, face to face conversations-Software:* Google Talk, a Windows- and web-based instant messaging program...
)
- 930 WHLM
WHLM is a radio station broadcasting an oldies format. Licensed to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, the station is currently owned by Columbia Broadcasting Company but still features national news from CBS Radio Network. The station plays the hits of 1964 to 1973 with an occasional late 70's and...
-AM (NewsNews is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
)
- 1060 KYW
KYW may refer to:* KYW , a radio station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States* KYW-TV, a television station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States...
-AM (NewsNews is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
)
- 1450 WPAM
WPAM is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Rock music format known as "Phoenix 1450." Licensed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA. The station has been owned by Curran Communications since 1972.-References:...
-AM (Classic RockClassic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
)
The area is also served by local television stations from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. They include WNEP-TV 16 (ABC), WYOU-TV 22 (CBS), WBRE-TV 28 (NBC), WVIA-TV 44 (PBS) and WOLF-TV 56 (FOX).
Communications
Dial telephone service came to Pottsville on August 30, 1956 with Mayor George Heffner making the first call on the new MArket 2 exchange, which still exists. Since then five exchanges have been added to serve the city.
Transportation
Pottsville is served by a small general aviation airport,
Schuylkill County AirportSchuylkill County Airport , also known as Schuylkill County/Joe Zerbey Airport, is a public-use airport located eight miles west of the central business district of Pottsville, a city in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. This airport is publicly owned by Schuylkill County Airport...
(ZER).
Intercity public bus service is provided by a Trailways bus terminal, located in downtown Pottsville. The terminal also serves the community with Greyhound as well. The Trailways bus terminal will eventually be replaced by an intermodal center being built downtown
.Mass transit for the greater Pottsville area is provided by
Schuylkill Transportation SystemSchuylkill Transportation System or STS is a public transportation service located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It provides inter-city bus and paratransit service to select communities within Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.-Route list:*10- Shenandoah...
, which operates inter-city bus services throughout the county. Two major highways converge on Pottsville,
PA Route 61Pennsylvania Route 61 is an -long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is signed on a north–south direction, from U.S. Route 222 Business in Reading to U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 15 in Shamokin Dam. PA 61 meets up with Pennsylvania Route 54 in Ashland and these...
and
U.S. Route 209U.S. Route 209 is a long U.S. highway in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. Although the route is a spur of U.S. Route 9, US 209 never intersects US 9, making the connection via U.S. Route 9W instead. The southern terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania...
.
Passenger train service between Pottsville, Reading and Philadelphia was operated by
ConrailThe Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and...
under the auspices of SEPTA until July 29, 1981. The station site has since been demolished and replaced with a parking lot.
Healthcare
Schuylkill Regional Medical CenterSchuylkill Regional Medical Center is a non-profit affiliation between two community hospitals formerly known as Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and The Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, both of which are located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. On August 1, 2008, Schuylkill Health became...
is a non-profit affiliation between two
community hospitalA Community hospital can be purely a nominal designation or have a more specific meaning. Specific mention of Community hospitals is encountered in the following countries:-- Thailand :...
s formerly known as Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and The Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, both of which are located in Pottsville. On August 1, 2008, Schuylkill Health became the new parent organization for both facilities and their related health systems. The medical center is designated a Level III Trauma center by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation.
Street grid
Norwegian Street divides north and south in the city; Centre Street divides east and west. Since the city is built on steep hills, the street layout is more complex.
Notable people
- George Schalk was born in Germany in November 1825, trained as a locksmith, and moved to America after military service in 1862. He settled in Pottsville, and became renowned as a gunsmith and maker of exceptionally accurate target rifles. He died in October 1893.
- Gary Becker
Gary Stanley Becker is an American economist. He is a professor of economics, sociology at the University of Chicago and a professor at the Booth School of Business. He was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1992, and received the United States' Presidential Medal of Freedom...
, born in Pottsville in 1930, is a Nobel Prize winning economist (1992).
- John E. Jones III
John Edward Jones III is an American lawyer and jurist from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. A Republican, Jones was appointed by President George W. Bush as federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in February 2002 and was unanimously confirmed by...
, born in Pottsville in 1955, presided over the landmark intelligent designIntelligent design is the proposition that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." It is a form of creationism and a contemporary adaptation of the traditional teleological argument for...
case, Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School DistrictTammy Kitzmiller, et al. v. Dover Area School District, et al. was the first direct challenge brought in the United States federal courts testing a public school district policy that required the teaching of intelligent design...
, in 2005.
- General George Joulwan
George Alfred Joulwan is a retired United States Army general, and is now a businessman. Joulwan, of Lebanese origin, studied at the United States Military Academy and Loyola University Chicago....
, born in Pottsville in 1939, a West Point graduate, was a 4-star General in the US Army and served as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe from 1993 to 1997.
- Peggy Maley
Peggy Maley is an actress who appeared in numerous movies and television programs. In 1942 she was crowned Miss Atlantic City. She delivered the famous feeder line to Marlon Brando in the film The Wild One: "Hey, Johnny, what are you rebelling against?".-External links:*...
, born in Pottsville June 8, 1926; actress, including the movie, The Wild OneThe Wild One is a 1953 outlaw biker film directed by László Benedek and produced by Stanley Kramer. It is famed for Marlon Brando's iconic portrayal of the gang leader Johnny Strabler.-Basis:...
.
- John O'Hara
John Henry O'Hara was an American writer. He initially became known for his short stories and later became a best-selling novelist whose works include Appointment in Samarra and BUtterfield 8. He was particularly known for an uncannily accurate ear for dialogue...
, a short story writerA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and best-selling novelist, brought Pottsville into the national spotlight through his Gibbsville stories, accounts of 1920s Pottsville socialites. O'Hara's single family home is located at 606 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville.
- Pat Flannery
Pat Flannery is a former head men's basketball coach at Bucknell University. He was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Pat attended Pottsville Area High School and graduated in 1976. He was a standout guard on the Bucknell team and lead the Bison to several league championships before graduating in...
, former head men's basketball coach at Bucknell University.
- The Molly Maguires
The Molly Maguires were members of an Irish-American secret society, whose members consisted mainly of coal miners. Many historians believe the "Mollies" were present in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania in the United States from approximately the time of the American Civil War until a...
, a criminal organization of IrishIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
laborers, operated throughout the surrounding mining region in the late 19th century, committing numerous robberies, murders, and acts of terrorism. The Molly Maguires also engaged in passing counterfeit money and extortion. Six Molly Maguires were hanged in Pottsville for murder June 21, 1877. Molly Maguire ringleader Jack KehoeJack Kehoe is an American film actor appearing in a wide variety of films, including the crime dramas Serpico, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and Brian De Palma's 1987 The Untouchables, as well as the 1976 comedy Car Wash, and 1988 cult classic Midnight Run...
was also hanged for murder in Pottsville December 18, 1878.
- James Nagle
James Nagle was an officer in the United States Army in both the Mexican War and the Civil War. During the latter conflict, he recruited and commanded four infantry regiments from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and led two different brigades in the Eastern Theater...
, Civil War general in the Union Army, moved to Pottsville as a child and resided there the rest of his life
- Arthur C. Neville
-Biography:Neville was born Arthur Courtenay Neville on October 13, 1850 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He moved with his family to Green Bay in 1856. Neville's father, J. C. Neville, also served as Mayor of Green Bay, as well as in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He married Harriet Reynolds in 1874....
, Mayor of Green Bay, WisconsinGreen Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
, was born in Pottsville.
- J. C. Neville
J. C. Neville was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin.-Biography:Neville was born John Neville on July 27, 1815 in Dublin, Ireland. He moved to the United States in the 1830s, settling in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. The following year, he married Catherine D....
, WisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
politician, lived in Pottsville after moving to the United States from IrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
- Ralph Peters
Ralph Peters is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel andauthor. As a novelist he has sometimes written under the pen name Owen Parry.-Personal:...
, born in Pottsville in 1952, has written extensively in both fiction and non-fiction. (For historical fiction he uses the name Owen Parry.) He writes a regular column for the New York PostThe New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
and has often appeared on television news programs commenting on military issues and current affairs.
- Howie Smith
Howie Smith, is a saxophonist, composer, jazz musician and educatorHowie Smith was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1943...
, saxophonist, composer and educator was born in Pottsville in 1943. He is a full professor at the Cleveland State UniversityCleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
and has been a frequent performer with the Cleveland OrchestraThe Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
. In 1973 he set up the first ever Jazz Studies course in the Southern Hemisphere at the Sydney Conservatorium of MusicThe Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia...
.
- Matt Wachter
Matthew Walter "Matt" Wachter is the bassist, keyboardist, and the backing vocalist in the rock band Angels & Airwaves. He was the former bassist for alternative rock group 30 Seconds to Mars, He was with the band from 2001 to 2007...
, bassist for Angels & AirwavesAngels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch...
and former bassist for 30 Seconds to Mars30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević...
- Bill Walsh (author)
Bill Walsh is the copy chief of the national desk at The Washington Post, where he has worked since 1997. He speaks on copy editing and is a regular presenter at annual conferences of the American Copy Editors Society. His books include Lapsing into a Comma and The Elephants of Style.-External...
, a Washington Post copy editor and author of books on English usage, was born in Pottsville in 1961.
- Jude Wanniski
Jude Thaddeus Wanniski was an American journalist, conservative commentator, and political economist.- Early life and education :...
(1936–2005) was economic advisor to President Ronald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
from 1978 to 1981. He was also associate editor of The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
from 1972 to 1978 and coined the term supply-side economicsSupply-side economics is a school of macroeconomic thought that argues that economic growth can be most effectively created by lowering barriers for people to produce goods and services, such as lowering income tax and capital gains tax rates, and by allowing greater flexibility by reducing...
in 1976.
- Muffet McGraw
-External links:...
(born December 5, 1955 in Pottsville, PA) current head women's basketball coach at Notre Dame. 2001 national champions.
Public and private education
- Pottsville Area School District
Pottsville Area School District is a public school district located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, serving students in central Schuylkill County. The district includes the City of Pottsville and five additional municipalities: the boroughs of Mechanicsville, Mount Carbon, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, and...
which includes Pottsville Area High SchoolPottsville Area High School is a coeducational public high school located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Pottsville Area School District and is the largest public high school in Schuylkill County. It was founded in 1853 and has an enrollment of approximately 1,250 students in ninth...
, D.H.H. Lengel Middle SchoolD.H.H. Lengel Middle School is located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1970 and educates the students of Pottsville Area School District. It has, as of 2009, approximately 925 students enrolled. This facility offers students in grades 5-8....
, and John S. Clarke Elementary Center.
- Nativity BVM High School
Nativity B. V. M. High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown.-Background:...
- part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of AllentownThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown is a Roman Catholic diocese comprising the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill, in the United States. Its cathedral is the Cathedral Church of Saint Catharine of Siena, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
education system.
- All Saints Catholic Elementary School - part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown education system
Colleges and universities
- McCann School of Business and Technology
McCann School of Business and Technology is a private for-profit junior technical college, located in northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania, USA. The school maintains campuses in Hazleton, Scranton, Sunbury, and Pottsville.-External links:*...
- Penn State Schuylkill
Penn State Schuylkill is a Commonwealth Campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It is located in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania....
, located in nearby Schuylkill Haven, PennsylvaniaSchuylkill Haven is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, four miles south of Pottsville and north-west of Philadelphia, in the United States. The borough's population was 5,548 as of the 2000 census. Schuylkill Haven is situated along the Schuylkill River for which it is named...
- Alvernia University Schuylkill Satellite Campus
External links