Pottsville is a third class city located in Schuylkill County and has a
1990 population of 16,603. The site of Pottsville was originally located
in Chester County. Subsequently Pottsville became part of Lancaster
County, then Berks & ultimately in 1811 Schuylkill County. The borough
of Pottsville became Schuylkill County's seat in 1851. Pottsville became
a third class city in 1911.
Pottsville's anthracite coal history began in 1790 with the discovery of
coal made by the 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 River. In 1806 John
Pott purchased the furnace and then founded the City of Pottsville.
The city is famous for being the gateway to the Anthracite Coal Region
and is also home of America's Oldest Brewery: Yuengling, which has
been in operation since 1829. Pottsville was home to an NFL franchise
in the early 20th Century named the Pottsville Maroons.
