Pottsville is the county seat of Schuylkill County in central Eastern Pennsylvania. The area is known as the Coal Region, for the anthracite coal found in the mountains. Anthracite coal is believed to have been discovered by Necho Allen on Sharp Mountain, which straddles Pottsville. Necho Allen was furtrapping and made a fire for the night, and woke up the next day to find that the fire had caught onto a coal seam.
Anthracite was so important to Pottsville and the Coal Region that residents of Pottsville erected a monument to Henry Clay on Sharp Mountain. Henry Clay had advocated protective tariffs on manufactured goods imported, in cluding coal. The monument to Clay was built in 1852 after Clay's death.
Many Irish miners were involved with the Molly Maguires, who had a very strong foothold in Pottsville and Schuylkill County. The Mollies used intimidation and violence in order to get better rights from coal barons and work bosses. The Mollies also fought against discrimination against Irish and Catholics in politics and in society. The most famous Molly Maguire incidents took place in 1876 and 1877 when several men were hung at the Pottsville Jail for the murders of constables and mine bosses.
After World War II, Pottsville began to go into decline as manufacturing became less important. Pottsville has never recovered since. Pottsville is trying to lure technology businesses to the city through various incentives.
The old Miners' National Bank building on Centre Street. This was built in 1909 and is now home to a Sovereign Bank.
Businesses on Centre Street.
Looking up 2nd Street at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.
The Good Intent Fire Company on the left and another old building on the right on 2nd Street.
Businesses at the corner of Centre and Market Streets.
Pottsville has a few midrises. In the foreground is the old Schuylkill Trust Company Building, built in 1925, and behind it on the other side of Market Street is the Thompson Building.
The Lawton's Hill neighborhood sits on the top of a hill in the northeast corner of the city. This neighborhood was likely the home for hundreds of poor Irish coal miners.
The Thompson Building on the left, Market Street in the middle, and 101 Centre Street (the old Schuylkill Trust Company building) on the right.
The old Necho Allen Hotel at the corner of Centre and Mahantongo Streets. Other businesses line Centre Street.
Businesses on Centre Street.
Looking south down Centre Street at the neighborhood of Morrisville. Beyond Morrisville are the towns of Palo Alto and Mount Carbon.
The Yuengling Brewery on Mahantongo Street. Yuengling is my favorite beer. Yuengling gives brewery tours, but I didn't go on the tour because I plan on going with family members some time.
Rowhouses on Norwegian Street.
More rowhouses on Norwegian Street.
Houses and St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church along Mahantongo Street.
Looking out over the West End neighborhood of Pottsville from a park at 10th and Mahantongo Streets. On the right, along the hill, is the neighborhood of Mount Hope.
Houses along Mahantongo Street.
Looking down at the neighborhood of Quintown. The 12th Street Hill neighborhood is on the other side of the valley.
Houses on Schuylkill Avenue along Sharp Mountain.
Houses along Mahantongo Street in Sharp Mountain.
The Yuengling warehouse at the northeast corner of 5th and Mahantongo Streets.
Looking north at the Schuylkill County Courthouse from 2nd Street in Sharp Mountain.
Businesses along Centre Street.
Houses on 2nd Street in the 7th Street Hill neighborhood north of the courthouse.
More houses in the 7th Street Hill neighborhood.
Rowhouses on Laurel Blvd in the Minersville Street neighborhood.
The Schuylkill County Courthouse at the corner of Laurel Blvd and 2nd Street.
The neighborhood of Lawton's Hill from the county courthouse.
Looking out at central Pottsville from the courthouse. Sharp Mountain rises in the background.
Central Pottsville.
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