Minersville History and the Greater Coal Region Area
We are proud to announce that residents and visitors can now stop by to see some Minersville history on display at Kat’s. Featuring coal region artifacts and historical photos, get a glimpse of what it used to be like here in the Anthracite area as far back as over a century ago! Visit us for a taste of great food and real coal region history.
Address
236 Sunbury Street, Minersville, PA 17954
Hours
Wed-Fri………..11am – 8pm
Sat-Sun…………………10am – 8pm
While you’re here at Kat’s, experience the taste of authentic Slavic cuisine such as fresh pierogies, homemade soups, blintzes/crepes, or gołabki/halupki. Take in the history of Schuylkill County and the Old World while you enjoy a great meal.
Special thanks to the Minersville Historical Society and its members for these wonderful historical items on display at Kat’s on Sunbury Street / Route 901 in Minersville, Pennsylvania. The community appreciates you and your efforts!
Minersville, A Town Born
In the year 1793, a settler by the name of Thomas Reed travelled through the valley. He traveled between the Thomaston Mountains and the Gap Rocks. At the junction, several mountain streams converged. Here, the 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. This is now the present site of Saint Vincent De Paul Church.
Schuylkill County
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. It was known as the Kings Highway, which was authorized by the Crown of England, King George III in 1770. It began near Schuylkill Haven through Pottsville and over the hills into Bulls Head to Minersville, along what is now called Sunbury Street then over to Deep Creek Valley, thence over the Locust Mountain and onward to Sunbury.
Coal Discovered
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 of the original founder, opened another vein in the Minersville Area.
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.
Minersville Incorporated
The influx of inhabitants to the community, promoted the need to begin some type of municipal planning. Titus Bennett Laid out the town in 1830 on parts of two tracts of land patented to Laurence 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 Rickert 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. Minersville was incorporated as a Borough on April 1, 1831 by an Act of Legislature approved by Governor George Wolf.
HERITAGE 1976, MINERSVILLE AREA BICENTENNAL CELEBRATION, COMMEMORATIVE BOOK, MINERSVILLE BOROUGH AND THE TOWNSHIPS OF BRANCH, CASS, FOSTER, REILLY. Gregory M. Volkay, Chairman, Thomas Eltringham, Joseph A. Hughes, Richard Fedoriska, William J. Murphy, Harrison J. Mitchell, Yolanda Volkay, Ourania Lucacos, Charles Wynosky, Jr., Henry Sterling.