The first residents of the Schuylkill River Valley were the Lenni-Lenape Indians, members of the Delaware Nations. They hunted and fished the heavily wooded and rolling valley until driven away by the early English and German settlers. The German settlers were from the Palatinate area of the German Empire.
The section of Pennsylvania now known as Upper Pottsgrove was part of the westernmost manor laid out by William Penn, who gave it to his youngest son, John. About 1732 John sold the area to George McCall, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant. At the time the area was called Hanover and included what are now the Pottsgrove, Douglass, New Hanover, and Upper Hanover townships.
After Mr. McCall’s death in 1740, the manor was divided among his children. His son, Archibald, received much of the land now comprising Upper Pottsgrove. He sold it in ensuing years to tenants and to his brother Samuel. The tract including a copper mine that probably was in use at the time of the Revolutionary War, but it was closed shortly afterward.
In 1773, John Potts resided in the region now called Pottstown. In 1815, 268 acres were taken from what was known as the town of Pottsgrove to form the Borough of Pottstown, the second official borough in Montgomery County. On June 10, 1875 the Court of Quarter Sessions divided the remaining township into “the Upper and Lower election districts.” Then, 116 years later, in 1931, after Upper Pottsgrove formed as a township; another portion of it was annexed to the Borough of Pottstown.
Upper Pottsgrove Township was formed as a second-class township in 1890 with 5,680 acres and a few hundred residents. It’s supervisors met in each other’s homes until 1929, when their meetings were moved to the township’s newly built four-room brick schoolhouse.
A map of 1877 shows a number of homes that might be called a community around the Halfway House, a tavern situated half-way between Boyertown and Pottstown on Farmington Avenue. The tavern is the oldest scene of continuous activity in Upper Pottsgrove. It opened in 1727 and gained its name for the location. In addition to serving travelers food, drink and lodging, it included a store and barn where public auctions were held at one time. The barn and store later burned down. The tavern also served as a stopover place for cattle drives from the railroad station in Pottstown to “points west,” a feat that caused great consternation to some residents along the way. They complained of the stench left by the cattle in route and often demanded something be done about it. Eventually, something was done. The drives stopped when transport by truck came into vogue. In the 1920’s the General Elections were held there. Today, in addition to serving the area as a good place to dine, Halfway House also stands as a marker for giving directions to newcomers in the township. Four roads intersect at the historic building on Farmington Avenue where Pine Ford, Gilbertsville and Maugers Mill roads all dead-end into the avenue.
In the early years, farming and farm-related workers such as wheelwrights, plowmakers, tinsmiths, blacksmiths and carpenters provided the main business in the township. The local economy was supported by fishing, copper mining, saw and chopping mills, along Sprogel’s run. In 1907 there was one basket-maker and one cigarmaker in the township.
Almost all social and recreational activities revolved around the farms until after WWII, but after the First World War, other activities began springing up. Most notable of these were twilight auctions and community picnics.
From 1930 on, the first Sunday in September was a special time of fellowship when families gathered at the Snyder Farm on Snyder Road. The annual event featured a picnic with each family bringing a well-packed basket, music and games.
Auctions also were held at the Snyder Farm gatherings, as well as Freese’s on State Street and The Pines as well as the Halfway House, both on Farmington Avenue. In addition, Freese’s drew customers with such added attractions as cockfights and women wrestlers, activity which continued until a short time after World War II. Camp meetings were held in the nearby Linderman’s Woods.
During WWII, the higher wages in industry enticed many farm families to factories in Pottstown, and mechanization made it possible to maintain the farms. After the war, however, more workers sought land for homes in the area, and now only a few farms remain.
Does anyone remember when Maugers Mill Road was a dirt road? Fencerows were torn down to build the macadam road. They used 18 inches of stone base from the fence rows of the farms. An old steamroller, wagons, and teams of horses were used to build forth Maugers Mill Road and State Street.
Maugers Mill Road got its name from the mill which operated in the vicinity near the bottom of the hill. It was fed by water from two dams. The mill was a three-story frame building on the south side of the road. The millrace, waterwheel and canal were located along the back of the homes on the north side of the road. The men took wagon loads of apples to the mill to have apple butter and cider made, and area residents came to the mill to purchase them, as well as feed, cornmeal, flour and ice.
The ice was harvested from the top dam. When the water froze, men would take wagons over what is now Yarnall Road, cut the ice, pack it in sawdust and take it down to the mill to sell. One time the ice wheel froze. Two men were hired to break the ice from the wheel, but they were almost killed. So they had to heat water to thaw the rest of the ice from the wheel so that the mill could operate.
Maugers Mill operated in the late 1800’s to 1916 when it burned down. At the time the Hollenbachs lived on a farm on Maugers Mill Road, and Christopher Hollenbach, a 12-year-old lad at the time saw the mill burning and the sparks igniting the roof of their barn. He had to go up on the roof with a wet broom and put out the sparks.
Two copper mines once existed in the township. One was over around Farmington Avenue and Steinmetz Road. The other was located in the area to the west of Orlando Road. There is still a sandstone marker on the bank in that area. The mine veined up toward the area now called Colonial Heights where the shaft was located. In existence since 1900, it was abandoned in 1917 when it went bankrupt. The tools were discarded in the mine, and it was closed.
Sunset Park. The Morello family operated it on the south side of Maugers Mill Road by the lake. There was a pavilion there where square dances and shows were held. Walter Swavely was the fiddler for the square dancers, and many times Mr. Hollenbach called the “the figures.” Residents from that time would have been familiar with names like Hank Lawson and the Bums, Gloomy, Weary, Sparky and Hank, as well as Shorty Long and the other stars of the Western Shows. They all played at the park.
Teenagers and young adults from that time patronized Hartwell”s which later was taken over by, and known as, Filby’s on Farmington Avenue in the 30’s and the 40’s? It was the “place to go” to see your friends, dance to the music of a jukebox and enjoy one of their specialties – a chip steak sandwich for 25 cents. Booths rather than tables were popular then.
Here are some highlights regarding education in the Township: The Cedar Grove School, on the corner of Gilbertsville and Synder roads, was conveyed to the Pottsgrove School District by deed February 21, 1853. During those early years, the teachers earned $35.00 a month, school was in session just six months, and the school board met in private homes. Pottstown was still part of Pottsgrove so there were other schools in the Schuylkill River Valley. However, in 1890, distribution of funds were made by the Montgomery County judges to Pottstown and Pottsgrove school districts, probably because of the change in the borough’s boundary line. Expenses and appropriations for the Ringing Hill and Center school buildings were shared by Lower and Upper districts. Tuition was paid to Lower Pottsgrove and Pottstown for township students attending schools closer to their homes. In 1888 Upper Pottsgrove District purchased one-half acre of ground on Glasgow Road just above the stone quarry for $150.
In 1927 a bond was floated for the construction of a new consolidated school building at a cost of $16,000, including the purchase of the land. Construction of the Upper Pottsgrove School was completed in 1929 and both the Chestnut Grove and Cedar Grove School buildings were sold at auction. Today Chestnut Grove School is a private home and Cedar Grove School has been a chapel for many years.
The 1930’s brought some options to the area’s high school students. They could attend Pottsgrove High or North Coventry School (which later became part of the OJR School District). Other students were part of an agreement between the school board and the township solicitor who was to offer the annex portion of Upper Pottsgrove to the borough of Pottstown for the sum of $6,000 cash and a one year’s free tuition for the students attending Pottstown High School.
In 1940 hot food prepared by WPA provided meals for all students, with a request from the parents to pay only what the food cost, if they could afford it. In 1946 Edith Emery volunteered her services as a substitute teacher on the strength of her college degree without any teacher training. The County Superintendent, who had the power to grant emergency request, did so, and she was elected a substitute. Edith lived in the township on Chestnut Grove Road.
The following year a number of cases of pink eye and ringworm were noticed. That same year the principal asked the school board for a ruling on girls wearing slacks. The decision was left to the discretion of the teachers. By the end of the decade Upper Pottsgrove School became so crowded that its eight grade students as well as high school students were sent to Pottstown, and plans were approved for a community-donated cafeteria building for the school.
Also during this decade, diphtheria toxoid was administered to all students, with their parents’ consent; Defense Bonds were purchased with Sinking Funds; drinking fountains were installed; teachers’ salaries went up to $163 per month, and war time (Daylight Savings Time) was adopted. I.Q. and reading tests were administered; a ditto machine was purchased with candy funds; an audiometer was purchased for hearing test; and subscriptions to The Weekly Reader began.
Many changes came with the end of World War II. During the early 1950’s, Upper Pottsgrove students were attending high school in Pottstown, Boyertown, and West Pottsgrove and some big changes began taking shape for school children in the township.
Lower, Upper, and West Pottsgrove School Boards met with the County Superintendent to discuss a merger. After a varied discussion a decision by all three boards was reached on the following points: The three townships would work out a plan for a three-district consolidation. The school administration would work out a thorough study on the cost of a three-district venture, and the three districts would continue to cooperate with Pottstown on planning a program for the four districts. The plans would include classes for kindergarten through grade 12. In April of 54’, a resolution was passed to agree to a merger with Lower and West Pottsgroves. Most of the Upper Pottsgrove school board meetings during the early 1960’s dealt with the finances, exonerations, delinquent taxes, etc, as the district was in the process of reorganization. The board’s final meeting took place June 14, 1966 and students living in Upper Pottsgrove Township became part of the Pottsgrove School District, which was organized in 1955-56.
Mid-60’s. When developers began building homes near Pottstown, the new residents petitioned to be annexed to the Borough of Pottstown so they could have municipal water and sewers. However, Upper Pottsgrove became a First Class Township in 1965, which put an end to further annexation attempts.
Upper Pottsgrove Families
Upper Pottsgrove Township is a family-oriented community, and some of those families have been around for here for generations. While new families are always welcome into the Township, it is fitting to salute those old-timers and their off-spring for staying here, helping to lay a good foundation for later generations to continue to grow and prosper, and in so doing, paving the way for the newcomers. Here are some interesting facts about them.
The multi-generation family to “settle in and stay put” is surely the Kummerers. Back in the mid-1800’s, John H. Kummerer bought 68 acres of prime farmland between Pine Ford Road and Farmington Avenue for the sum of $5,000. He and his wife first in a log house on the property, which also included a cold cellar, called a cave. Eventually they built and moved into the big three-story farmhouse.
Christopher Hollenbach, it the time of the township’s 100th Birthday Celebration, had resided in the Township the longest, was born in 1904 and came to America with his parents from Austria/Hungary in 1908. First living in Steelton, PA the young family moved to Upper Pottsgrove in 1913. For two years they lived on Maugers Mill Road and then moved to the family farm on North Hanover Street.
Among other notable multi-generation families are the Ludys, Greskos, Bealers, Majkas, Schaeffers, Meekers, Prouts, Boerners, Schwenks and Mosers. Without the help of the Bealers and Maurice Meeker, with their brawn, muscles and big machines, the Township would not have shaped up so quickly. Wilmer Bealer and Maurice Meeker served on the governing body of the Township for many years.
The resident who most deserves the title of “Mr. Upper Pottsgrove” is the late John F. Prout. For more than thirty years Mr. Prout served the Township as Auditor, Secretary/Treasurer, Supervisor and Commissioner. He served the community with diligence, integrity and loyalty was recognized for his service in 1974 when the municipal building was named the John F Prout Municipal Building. The Prout’s operated a poultry farm on West Moyer Road.
Many residents who served the township in some official capacity during the 20th century still make their presence known through descendants who have remained here to enjoy life in the Pottsgroves.
The information gathered for this article, 1 of 2, was derived from records and the Township’s 100th Birthday Celebration, 1890/1990. I hope you, as well has our new residents, enjoyed this breif glimpse into our history and recognized some of the familiar names you see throughout the Township. Hank Llewellyn