Minersville , Pennsylvania

In the year 1783, a settler by the name of Thomas Reed traveled through the valley between the Thomaston Mountains and the Gap Rocks. At this junction, several mountain streams converged where this settler built a log cabin and a sawmill on the west Branch of the Schuylkill River, just below the mouth of Wolf Creek. Shortly thereafter, he built a tavern on the South Side of the Sunbury Trail on the present site of the Saint Vincent DePaul's Church.

This tavern was referred to as the "Half Way House", because it was half-way between Reading and Sunbury. The Sunbury Trail was the first road through Schuylkill County and was known as the Kings Highway which was authorized by the Crown of England, King George III in 1770.The early settlers engaged in timbering as their first livelihood, but experienced difficulty in transporting the heavy logs out of the valley. The rough timber was floated by raft to Schuylkill Haven to the Schuylkill Canal and on to Reading where it was sold or traded for other products. Necho Allen discovered coal in 1799, but it was not until 1814 that any actual mining took place. Dr. McFarland, a scientist, opened a vein at York Farm near Pottsville. Later, in 1818, Jacob Reed, son the of original founder, opened another vein in the Minersville Area.

Minersville’s History

The completion of the Schuylkill Haven and Mine Hill Railroad provided the means to transport the coal produced in the region. The development of the coal industry grew rapidly and attracted many immigrants. Experienced English and Welsh miners arrived first from their home lands. Next arrivals were the Germans and Irishman, soon to be followed by many other ethnic groups that make up the community. The influx of inhabitants to the community promoted the need to begin municipal planning. Titus Bennett laid out the town in 1830 on parts of two tracts of land patented to Lawrence Lewis and Robert M. Lewis on July 20, 1829, at that time part of Branch Township. On May 2, 1830, Minersville citizens held an election at the home of David Buckwater for the purpose of electing a Burgess. Samuel Richert was elected to this position, as well as the following men who served on the first Council: John Provst, John Patrick, Dr. Anthony Steinberger, John L. Swaine, John B. Hahn, David Buckwater and Daniel R. Bennet. The first president of the Town Council was Daniel R. Bennet; first treasurer, Thomas J. Harman, Clerk, and Milligan G. Gable, High Constable. Minersville was incorporated as a borough on April 1, 1831 by Act of the legislature approved by Governor George Wolf. Minersville School District was involved in a nation court case gaining much attention; Minersville School District v. Gobitis, 1940. This case dealt with a family whose children would not salute the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance because of their religious beliefs (they were Jehovah's Witnesses). This case would put Minersville "on the map," as it reached all the way to the Supreme Court. The final verdict was that the school district could, in fact, make students stand, salute, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This decision came under much scrutiny and would not stay long, as it would be overturned shortly thereafter.

Minersville’s History

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,552 people, 2,041 households, and 1,226 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,948.9 people per square mile (2,662.9/km²). There were 2,312 housing units at an average density of 3,529.4 per square mile (1,352.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.51% White, 0.44% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 2,041 households out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the borough the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males. The Borough was founded in 1831.

The median income for a household in the borough was $28,373, and the median income for a family was $36,759. Males had a median income of $32,073 versus $19,898 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $15,623. About 10.8% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.

Minersville Census

Minersville celebrated its 182nd anniversary in 2006. Minersville was the birthplace of pool champion Joe Balsis

(1921–1995).American Civil War Union general Benjamin C. Christ was a

native of Minersville.Big Diamond Raceway is located in Minersville. It is home to

seasonal weekly dirt track racing.The Pottsville Maroons played professional football at

Minersville Park during the 1920s.Minersville is the setting of the 2010 film Bereavement.The Minersville Railroad will soon open again, after work is

completed on the CNJ 113 train engine, and renovations are completed in the station. The train has recently been driven for the first time in years and is in a completion process.

Some interesting facts about Minersville…

Ethnic Churches

Saint Stanislaus Kostka ChurchSaint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic ChurchSaint George's Ukrainian Catholic ChurchSaint Peter and Paul Ukrainian Byzantine RiteSaint Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic

ChurchSaint Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church

Saint Stanislaus in no longer today. It is now the Saint Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church. This church is a very old church. It has a lot of history inside!

Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church

Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church

Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is a big church home of Ukrainian Catholic’s. Saint Nicholas is the only church with a school in Minersville.

Saint George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church is right across from Saint Nicholas’. The only difference is that Saint George’s is Ukrainian Orthodox.

Saint George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

S.S. Peter and Paul Originally a part of St. George Byzantine Catholic Church which was founded in 1896 and served both Ruthenian and Ukrainian Catholics of Byzantine Rite, SS. Peter & Paul Church was organized and incorporated in 1910 to originally serve the spiritual needs of Byzantine Ruthenian Catholics.

Saint Peter and Paul Ukrainian Byzantine Rite

Saint Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church

Saint Michael The Archangel is a Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the 2 Roman Catholic Churches in Minersville.

Saint Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church

Saint Matthew’s is the replacement for the Saint Stanislaus Church. This church is very big in size and has a lot of history.

HISTORIC SITES

The Minersville Train Station is a very historic building in the Minersville Borough. It had many trains stop here in the past years.

Minersville Train Station

The CNJ 113 is a very well known piece of history in Minersville. This locomotive has traveled many places over the 20th Century. It is now in the process of being fully restored to be get back on the rails as soon as possible.

CNJ Locomotive 113

The Washington Hotel is a historic hotel that has been in Minersville for many decades. It is no longer used as a hotel. They now only use the bar inside the hotel.

The Washington Hotel

Some of the best features are the historic sites and the history behind Minersville.

Places people like to meet at are the libraries, pool, Coalcracker Creamery, and the sports complexes.

Challenges that Minersville face are drugs and littering.

Features

FEATURES

Some of the best features are the historic sites and the history behind Minersville.

Places people like to meet at are the libraries, pool, Coalcracker Creamery, and the sports complexes.

Challenges that Minersville face are drugs and littering.

Places people like to meet at…..

The Minersville Library is a place people like to meet when doing school projects or are just going to rent a few books and read them.

Minersville Library

The Minersville Pool is one of the main hangouts in the summer where people like to meet and take a dip in the pool to cool off.

Minersville Pool

The Minersville Sport Complexes are a hangout when sports are playing. You can sit and watch the game, walk around, and many other fun activities.

Minersville Sport Complexes

The Coalcracker Creamery is a big place to meet at in the summer. When it’s hot outside, you can come in and have a refreshing Ice Cream.

The Coalcracker Creamery

Drugs Litter

Litter Drugs

Challenges Minersville Face

That will conclude the presentation…