On a recent drive through Pottsville, I pulled off the road for a quick photo—and ended up staring at one of the city’s oldest surviving witnesses to history. It’s the last remnant of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad’s original passenger depot: a brick head house built in 1851. One important moment in American history still hangs over the place. Read the full story.
A century ago, a professional football team from Pottsville, PA bulldozed its way to an NFL title - only to have the championship yanked away in one of the NFL's first great scandals. In this piece, I look back at the 1925 Pottsville Maroons and share a new 100th-anniversary excerpt from David Fleming’s Breaker Boys, the book that brought their story roaring back to life. Read the full story.
Journey back to 1910 Pottsville with this rare postcard of the Morris Building - home to the historic Dives, Pomeroy, & Stewart department store and Gowen Post #23 of the Grand Army of the Republic. Captured during a women’s event at the corner of Mahantango and Centre streets. Read more of the story.
Discover mid-19th century Pottsville as Schuylkill County’s industrial heart: surrounded by anthracite mines, its iron works churned out pumps and engines fueling the coal trade and railroads. Illustrated maps and photos bring these bygone factories to life. Step back into Pottsville’s smoky past. Read the full story.
In October 1952, President Harry S. Truman rolled into Pottsville on a campaign stop for Adlai Stevenson. It was the first time a sitting U.S. president visited Schuylkill County, and thousands packed the streets and stadium to hear him speak. His words touched directly on the Coal Region’s struggles with unemployment, the decline of anthracite, and the promise of new industry. It was a moment of history in Pottsville, even if the county ultimately swung for Eisenhower that November. Read the full story and listen to the speech.
In 1855, Pottsville raised a monument to Henry Clay - the “Great Compromiser” whose vision for canals, rails, and industry helped unleash the Coal Region’s boom in the 19th century. I trace the statue's history and why Clay’s ideas appear in today’s fights over infrastructure, trade, and partisanship. Read the full story.
This 1840 sketch reveals a bustling town fueled by newly tapped anthracite reserves. Witness Pottsville’s rapid expansion as it transforms into a major economic force in Schuylkill County. Read the full story.
As Lee’s army marched into Pennsylvania, Pottsville residents crowded the Schuylkill County Courthouse, vowing to defend both their homes and the vital anthracite fields. Just days later, the Battle of Gettysburg would decide the fate of this high-stakes campaign. Read the full story.
In the summer of 1838, John Silver’s restaurant in Pottsville’s Pennsylvania Hall advertised a menu featuring fresh seafood, meats, and imported wines. Located on Centre Street, the refectory offered a taste of refinement in the booming coal town, catering to travelers and locals alike. Read the full story.
Step inside America’s oldest brewery in Pottsville, founded by David G. Yuengling in 1829. Explore hand‑dug beer caves and learn more about Yuengling's brewery operations - past and present. Enjoy exclusive samples and pints in the tasting room while discovering nearly two centuries of brewing heritage and traditions. Read the full story.