Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Template:US City infobox
Pottsville is a city located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 15,549.
It is the county seat of Schuylkill CountyTemplate:GR, and is located in the Coal Region of southeastern Pennsylvania.
History
Pottsville named for its founder John Pott laid out in 1816.
The site of Pottsville was originally located in Chester County. Subsequently Pottsville became part of Lancaster County, then Berks County,and ultimately in 1811 Schuylkill County. The borough of Pottsville became Schuylkill County's seat in 1851. Pottsville became a third class city in 1911.
Necho Allen, The discovery of Anthracite on Broad Moutain
Pottsville's anthracite coal history began in 1790 with the discovery of Anthacite coal made by the hunter Necho Allen. Legend has it that Allen fell asleep at the base of the Broad Mountain, on the south side of Pottsville, 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 River. In 1806 John Potts purchased the furnace and then founded the City of Pottsville.
The start of the Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River starts in the vicinity of Pottsville with the source of its eastern branch tributary starting at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua ,and the western tributary/ branch starting near Minersville and Tremont joining in Pottsville, becoming one stream south, at the town of Schuylkill Haven.
Geography
Pottsville is located at 40°41'6" North, 76°12'10" West (40.685058, -76.202747)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²). 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Garfield Square
Old timers fondly recall Pottsville's Market Street Trolley line where trolleys slipped around Garfield Square.
South Center and Mahantonogo street
On South center street and Mahantongo street in front of the old Necho Allen Hotel there are buried public bathrooms under south center street. The public bathrooms were closed in the 1960's, and remain covered up of what use to be Pomeroy's department store.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 15,549 people, 6,399 households, and 3,877 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,426.0/km² (3,697.4/mi²). There are 7,343 housing units at an average density of 673.4/km² (1,746.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 95.73% White, 2.26% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,399 households out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% are married couples living together, 13.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% are non-families. 34.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.97.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,137, and the median income for a family is $41,124. Males have a median income of $31,510 versus $21,433 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,165. 13.9% of the population and 10.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Population Trends
- 1940 - 24,530
- 1950 - 23,630
- 1960 - 21,659
- 1970 - 19,715
- 1980 - 18,195
- 1990 - 16,603
- 2000 - 15,549
- 2002 - 15,167 (estimate)
Sources: City of Pottsville and U.S. Census Bureau
Industry
Pottsville, in the Coal Region of eastern Pennsylvania, has been long associated with the anthracite coal industry.
The Reading Anthracite Coal Company
The most notable of the coal company operating out of Pottsville is the Reading Anthracite Company, which traces it roots in the area back to 1871
Yuengling
America's oldest brewer of beer in the United States, the Yuengling Brewing Company, having been established in 1829, calls Pottsville its home. During the prohibition period in America under the 19th amendment, Yuengling stopped making beer and made ice cream. However, when the 19th amendment was repealed, Yuengling stopped making ice cream and continued making alcoholic bevrages. It still continues as a family owned business today. Attempted buyouts by large conglomerate breweries has been unsuccessful.
Phillips Van Heusen
Also due to its location on the Schuylkill River, Pottsville developed a textile industry. Out of this industry grew the Phillips Van Heusen company which was founded in Pottsville 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, as well as other textile companies in the area, have left the region starting in the late 1970's, mainly attributed to foreign competition.
Notable natives and residents
John O'Hara
- John O'Hara - a short story writer 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.
Molly Maguires
- The Molly Maguires, a clandestine society of Irish miners who engaged in a violent confrontation with Pennsylvania mining companies in the 19th century.
Media
The local daily newspaper in Pottsville is the Pottsville Republican. Another publication that surfaced in 2003 is Pottsville Free Press. There are also two radio stations that broadcast out of Pottsville.