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] Bridges This particular one is hidden near the Gorden Nagle trail, near Indian run, West ] ]]
] / Heckscherville]]
] for the ] Hotel, Center and ] Streets, in Pottsville where it hung in the dining room for more than 40 years. The central panel depicts Necho Allen's discovery of ] coal]]

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Revision as of 21:21, 1 November 2005

County in Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County
County
Official seal of Schuylkill CountySeal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Schuylkill CountyLocation within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting PennsylvaniaPennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°42′N 76°13′W / 40.7°N 76.21°W / 40.7; -76.21
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
SeatPottsville
Population
 • Total150,336
Websitewww.co.schuylkill.pa.us

Schuylkill County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. It is located in the heart of the anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population is 150,336. Pottsville, Pennsylvania is the county seat.

The origin of the name Schuylkill

The Delaware Indians were the original permanent settlers in the area of a river they called Ganshohawanee, meaning rushing and roaring waters, later called Schulen-kill, or as it is pronounced today, school kill.

Railroad history

The Reading and Pennsylvania railroad: In the early 1800s southern Schuylkill County was served by the Union Canal out of Pine Grove with connections west, and the Schuylkill canal southward from Port Carbon. To the north, Broad Mountain was a natural barrier to navigation. Other means would be required to transport coal out of the rich basin of the Mahanoy Valley. Numerous railroads were begun north of the headwaters of the Schuylkill Canal.

Through the 1830s and 40s, short railroads sprouted up at numerous areas in the county. Of prime importance was the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven, which served the Schuylkill Canal. Chartered in 1831, tracks were laid from the "flats" in Schuylkill Haven along the river through Cressona and Minersville to Tremont. The railroad eventually reached Ashland and Locust Gap via the Gordon Planes.

Chartered in 1836, the Little Schuylkill Railroad, Navigation and Coal Company ran from Port Clinton northward to Mahanoy Junction above Tamaqua. It would become the keystone of the Pennsylvania and Reading system, serving as a gauntlet for its eastern and western branches. Connecting with it were four important lines. The 146 mile (235 km) Catawissa Railroad operated from Mahanoy Junction to West Milton, providing access to the Mahanoy region by joining the northern terminus of the Little Schuylkill with connections to New York and Scranton. At Port Clinton, it connected with the P&R's main line from Mount Carbon. It's most important connection would be with the Mahanoy and Broad Mountain Railway via Mahanoy Tunnel and East Mahanoy Railroad.

There was once over 1,000 miles (1600 km) of railroad track in Schuylkill County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,027 km (783 mi). 2,016 km (778 mi) of it is land and 11 km (4 mi) of it is water. The total area is 0.54% water.

The Schuylkill River headwaters are found in the county, starting in the Appalachian Mountains, and flows through many towns and the city of Reading, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia where it flows into the Delaware River. To the south, southern Schuylkill county is home to Blue Mountain and Appalachian Trail.

Notable natives and residents

  • John O'Hara - a short story writer and best-selling novelist, brought Pottsville into into the national spotlight through his "Gibbsville" stories, accounts of 1920s Pottsville socialites. O'Hara's single family home is located at 606 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville.
  • The Molly Maguires, a clandestine society of Irish miners who engaged in a violent confrontation with Pennsylvania mining companies in the 19th century.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 150,336 people, 60,530 households, and 40,131 families residing in the county. The population density is 75/km (193/mi). There are 67,806 housing units at an average density of 34/km (87/mi). The racial makeup of the county is 96.62% White, 2.09% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 60,530 households out of which 26.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% are married couples living together, 10.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% are non-families. 29.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.93.

In the county, the population is spread out with 20.90% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.20 males. dfgasdfa

Cities and towns

Farming near Klingerstown, Pennsylvania.
File:Pa bridge.jpg
One of many stone Reading Railroad Bridges This particular one is hidden near the Gorden Nagle trail, near Indian run, West Pottsville
File:The-Marion-Shovel.jpg
Anthracite coal strip- mining with the Marion shovel near Minersville / Heckscherville
File:NECHO ALLEN PIC.jpg
The three-piece oil-on-canvas painting commissioned in 1927 for the Necho Allen Hotel, Center and Mahantongo Streets, in Pottsville where it hung in the dining room for more than 40 years. The central panel depicts Necho Allen's discovery of anthracite coal

See also

Anthracite Coal Region John O'Hara Mahantongo Mahanoy Molly Maguires Necho Allen Reading Company Schuylkill River

External links

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