The Pottstown area underwent European settlement in the mid-1700's and was incorporated as a Borough in 1815. Pottstown has a rich history and excellent architecture to share. The Borough has recently replaced its Historic Pottstown Walking Tour signage which helps interpret some of the town's history. The 22 signs take a dive into the past to share a snippet of history, like the Phillies Fire Company, the first fire company in town and Pottsgrove Manor which was the home of John Potts, the founder of the Pottstown area and owner of Hopewell Furnace, now a National Historic Site.
The tour is self-guided and starts at the map station (see image at bottom) located in
Smith Family Plaza, opposite Borough Hall, at 100 E. High Street. Of course, you can start and end at any station. There are 22 sign locations in total, including the map station, that totals roughly five miles of walking. Want to bike the tour? Visit the Schuylkill River Greenways office at 140 College Drive and utilize the free Bike Share program.
Tour brochures that include maps can be found at the Tri County Area Chamber of Commerce, Borough Hall, and sites that have an asterisk on the map sign (below). The tour will also be part of the Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee's (PARRC) new interactive parks and trails map which will launch in the springtime on the parrc.net website. Start planning your spring! The Pottstown Historic Walking Tour is a perfect activity to learn about local history, see beautiful architecture, get outdoors and exercise, and visit the shops and restaurants of downtown Pottstown.
