Pottsville, Pennsylvania

Pottsville is a city in, and the county seat of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,549 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the west bank of the Schuylkill River, 97 mi north-west of Philadelphia. It is located in Pennsylvania's Coal Region, named for the abundance of anthracite coal.

Pottsville is not to be confused with Pottstown, a borough in Montgomery County approximately 40 mi northwest of Philadelphia.

Early settlement
By the Charter of Charles II, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, to his trustie and well beloved subject, William Penn, Esq., sonne and heire of Sir William Penn, for the Colony of Pennsylvania, the grantee, William Penn, was given power and authority to erect counties, in the following words: "And we do further for us, our heires and successors, give and grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assignees, free and absolute power to divide the said countrey and islands into townes, into boroughes and counties, etc.," whereupon William Penn did divide the Province into three counties, Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester.

The last comprised all lands west and south of the Delaware and the Schuylkill; therefore the site of Pottsville was originally in Chester County. When the legislative Council, on 10 May 1729, enacted the law erecting the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which included all the lands of the Province lying westward of a straight line drawn northeasterly from the headwaters of Octorara Creek (near the southern borders) marked with blazed trees, to the Schuylkill River, then this placed Pottsville in Lancaster County. By enactment of the same Council, approved on 11 March 1752, the Berks County was erected; this placed Pottsville within the limits of that county.

Pottsville's anthracite coal history began in 1790 when it was discovered by 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.

19th century
In 1806 John Pott purchased the furnace. By an act of Assembly of the Commonwealth approved March 1, 1811, the County of Schuylkill was erected out of portions of Berks and Northampton; this placed the site of Pottsville in Schuylkill County. The town was formally laid out in 1816 by a local surveyor, Henry Donnell. Pottsville was established as a village in Norwegian Township in 1819 and incorporated as a borough on February 19, 1828.

In 1829, D.G. Yuengling & Son established the oldest operated family beer brewery in the United States. In 1851 Pottsville became the county seat, the original county seat being Orwigsburg.

The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, which has its roots in the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, the remnants of which were acquired in the late 20th century by the Reading Anthracite Company, acquired extentive coal lands and would become one of the most notable of the coal companies operating in Pennsylvania until the demise of the anthracite industry after World War II.

Because of its location along the Schuylkill River, Pottsville developed a small textile industry. Out of this industry grew the Phillips Van Heusen company which was founded in 1881. Moses Phillips and his wife Endel began sewing shirts by hand and selling them from pushcarts to the local coal miners. Van Heusen and other textile companies left the region starting in the late 1970s, mainly as a result of foreign competition. Another element of the textile industry was the Tilt Silk Mill on Twelfth Street, which produced silk from silk worms imported from China which fed on mulberry trees in the building's solarium. The silk business eventually was eclipsed by the development of nylon stockings. The building still stands and is presently the headquarters of a storage and vehicle rental business.

20th century
During the Prohibition period in the United States, under the 18th Amendment, Yuengling stopped making beer and moved to production of "near beer". The three brews produced in this time were the Yuengling Special (the most popular brand), Yuengling Por-Tor (a version of their "celebrated Pottsville Porter"), and finally, the Yuengling Juvo, which was a cereal beverage. Then-owner Frank Yuengling also opened the Yuengling Dairy, which produced ice cream and other dairy products for the local area. These ventures helped to keep the company afloat during that period.

When the 18th Amendment was repealed, Yuengling stopped production of "near beer" and resumed making alcoholic beverages. The brewery famously sent a truckload of its Winner Beer to the White House in 1933 as thanks to President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the repeal of Prohibition. Yuengling still continues its family-owned business today. It is the second largest American-owned brewery, after the Boston Beer Company, producer of Samuel Adams beer. The Yuengling Dairy was operated by a different branch of the family than the Brewery. Business declined and the dairy folded as of 1985. Attempted buyouts by large conglomerate breweries have all been unsuccessful.

Pottsville was chartered as a third-class city on March 22, 1911.

Pottsville was host to a National Football League (NFL) franchise from 1925-1928. The Pottsville Maroons played in Sportsman's Park (or Minersville Park) in nearby Minersville, now the site of King's Village shopping plaza. The Maroons posted some of the best records in the NFL during the 1925 and 1926 seasons. The Maroons had a claim to the 1925 NFL championship, but because of a controversial decision by NFL President Joe Carr, the title was instead awarded to the Chicago Cardinals. The Maroons suffered two more losing seasons before relocating to Boston and becoming the Boston Bulldogs. The Bulldogs folded in 1929.

Until the middle of the 20th century, Pottsville was a popular destination for many traveling acts and vaudeville performers. The 1929 film Berth Marks stars the comedy legends Laurel and Hardy as they attempt to reach Pottsville by train for one of their booked performances.

In August 1997, the Pottsville Railway Park Little League all star team, managed by 42-year veteran Irv Shappell, made an impressive run to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania by representing the U.S. East Region. The team glided through the Pennsylvania District 24 Tournament including defeating their cross-town rival Pottsville Rotary Little League 19-0. Following the District 24 Tournament Railway Park continued its impressive run through the PA Section 3 Tournament beating every team they played! Moving on to the Pennsylvania State Tournament which was held in Carbondale, PA; they suffered their first loss of the tournament to Berwyn-Paoli Little League only to bounce back the next night to win the State Crown which earned them a berth in the U.S. Eastern Region Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut. Defeating Connecticut twice, as well as teams from Rhode Island, Maine, and New Jersey they played their final game before the Series against California-Hollywood, Maryland, defeating them 2-1 in a LIVE-televised game on ESPN2. Finally, in Williamsport for the World Series they defeated Dyer, Indiana 1-0 in an extra inning game. The following evening they played Bradenton, Florida at Lamade Stadium before the largest crowd ever to watch a Non-championship game. The crowd was estimated at more than 35,000. Although they lost the game they played their final game against Mission Viejo, Southern California, losing to that team 3-1; one game shy of the United States Championship Game. The team returned home to a city-wide party and more than 200 fire trucks welcomed them back to town.

21st century
Today Pottsville is on the verge of revitalizing the downtown area. The city completed in 2007 a streetscaping project on Centre Street. In addition, the city plans on using the funds from the Elm Street project to revitalize Nichols Street. The city also is working on bringing the railroad back into center city for tourist excursions and is also planning to build a large transportation hub in the same location for bus service throughout the county. It will also accommodate Trailways and Greyhound Services. It will also be accommodated by a train station in the current Union Street Parking Lot.

Pottsville is also the home to the Great Pottsville Cruise which is held on the second Sunday of August each year. The Great American Way Fair is also held annually in early May. Each New Year's Eve the city sponsors the raising of the Yuengling Bottle to the top of the flagpole at Garfield Square to ring in the new year.

Topography
Pottsville is located at 40.68506°N, -76.20275°W (40.685058, -76.202747).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.20 sqmi.It is all land; none of the area is covered in water. Although there are no lakes within the city there are several water courses which flow through the city. The Schuylkill River flows through the extreme southern part of the city near Mount Carbon. The West Branch of the Schuylkill River makes up the western border for the city. Within the city itself the West Branch of Norwegian Creek flows through the Fishbach section of the city and the East Branch of Norwegian Creek flows through the Jalappa section of the city. Joining together near Progress Avenue and Terry Reiley Way they form Norwegian Creek which flows underground through the heart of the city. The creek empties into the Schuylkill River at Mauch Chunk Street.

Pottsville is said to rest on seven hills, like ancient Rome. These seven hills are Lawton's Hill, Greenwood Hill, Bunker Hill (Sharp Mountain), Guinea Hill, Forest Hills, Cottage Hill and Mount Hope.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,549 people, 6,399 households, and 3,877 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,697.4 people per square mile (1,426.0/km2). There were 7,343 housing units at an average density of 1,746.1 per square mile (673.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.73% White, 2.26% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There are 6,399 households, out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,137, and the median income for a family was $41,124. Males had a median income of $31,510 versus $21,433 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,165. About 10.1% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Neighborhoods

 * Center City- Area consisting of Centre Street and Market Street from Garfield Square to Line Street and from Nichols Street to Mauch Chunk Street.
 * Yorkville - located on the west side of the city, west of the Pottsville Area High School and west of 16th Street to the city line. Yorkville was a borough that merged with Pottsville in the early part of the Twentieth Century.
 * Quinntown - Along W. Market Street, south and west of Garfield Square up to 16th Street.
 * Lawton's Hill - East of Route 61, north of E. Norwegian Street.
 * Greenwood Hill - East of Route 61, south of E. Norwegian Street.
 * The Island - The area surrounding the former site of the Atkins Brothers furnace; near Washington Street and Route 61.
 * Jalappa - North of Route 61 and east of Centre Street on the north side of town.
 * Jalappa Heights - Scenic, elevated northeast corner of Jalappa.
 * Fishbach - West of Jalappa, in the area between Centre Street and Peacock Street.
 * Russelville - Along W. Market Street, north and west of Garfield Square up to 16th Street.
 * Forest Hills - a residential development south of Mount Carbon.
 * Forest Hills West - a residential neighborhood south of Mount Carbon and west of Forest Hills.
 * Bunker Hill - south of Mahantongo Street from S. 2nd Street to S. 11th Street.
 * Morrisville - South Centre Street from Mauch Chunk Street to the city line with Mount Carbon borough.
 * Guinea Hill - A residential neighborhood which extends north of W. Arch Street to W. Laurel Blvd. and from N. 3rd Street westward to N. 12th Street.
 * Cottage Hill - North of West End Avenue from N. 20th Street to Westwood Road. Subdivided into Cottage Hill West and Cottage Hill East.
 * Hillside - Cressona Road from Hotel Street to the city line.
 * York Farm - North of First Avenue to Mount Hope Avenue and from N. 16th Street west to the city line. (Also includes High Park Manor)
 * Mount Hope - North of Laurel Boulevard to Fairmont Avenue and from N. Second Street to North 16th Street and Walter Griffith Avenue.
 * Yorktowne - East of Westwood Road along Woodglen and Yorktowne Roads.

Parks and recreation areas

 * Rotary Park - Located at South 20th & Mahantongo Streets, is one of the largest recreational areas in the city. It includes Pottsville Rotary Little League which can accommodate night games. Also, the park includes a basketball court. There is also playground equipment located on the Norwegian Street side of the park. The park has a fairly large grassy area. The park lacks shade trees.
 * Railway Park - Located in the Yorkville section of Pottsville at the end of First Avenue the park includes the home of Railway Park Little League, the 1997 United States Eastern Region Champions of Little League Baseball.
 * General George Joulwan East Side Park - Located on East Norwegian Street, the park is built in tiers along the hillside. In the past the park included the East Side swimming pool; but this has been demolished and now is home to a skate park. Basketball courts and playground equipment are also located in the park.
 * Henry Clay Park - Located on South Second Street, high on the hilltop overlooking the south side of Pottsville is the Henry Clay Monument. The park is relatively small with no benches or recreational equipment or fields. A larger park was originally planned to be built around it shortly after its construction, but it never materialized. However, the current park is small and quaint and many trees surround which provide a cool spot and a breath-taking view of South Centre Street and the Pottsville Hospital & Warne Clinic.
 * John F. Kennedy Memorial Recreation Complex - It is the city's main park. It has an entrance on York Farm Road, it also has a Parking Lot which can handle moderate amounts of vehicles, two basketball courts, four tennis courts, and one volleyball court and is home to the JFK Memorial Pool, a community, non-membership pool, it also has a jogging/walking path which connects it to nearby Railway Park. The path has benches in shady, wooded areas. Many people feed the chipmunks and squirrels in the park, which make them not fear humans. You can whistle and they will come. The park also has a fairly large grassy area between the Sports Courts and the pool. Pets are permitted but must be on a leash. The same rules apply in other city park parcels. Also note that there are no pets premitted in the pool area. The complex is located near the Pottsville Area School District city school parcels.
 * Yuengling Park - Located at South Tenth and Mahantongo Streets, Yuengling Park is the location of the old spring house which was used for the Brewery back in the 19th Century. The park is filled with natural fountains, grass, flowers and benches and a large pavilion.  The park has no playground facilities but provides a peaceful spot near the hub of the city.
 * Bunker Hill Playground - Located between Schuylkill Avenue and Pierce St. the playground has updated their equipment but is a relaxing area to spend the day with the family.
 * Barefield Outdoor Recreation Complex - This 3 acre recreation complex is located at the corner of North Centre Street and Terry Reiley Way in Pottsville. It features a full-size basketball court, horseshoe pits, putting green, and a sand volleyball court. Use of this facility is free to the public.
 * Others - There are many other playgrounds located through the city, including, 17th Street Playground, 12th Street Playground, 11th & Arch Street Playground, Race Street Playground, Peacock Street Playground, Jalappa Playground, Fairview Street Playground, Main Street Playground, Greenwood Hill Playground, and Forest Hills Playground.

Suburbs (Greater Pottsville Area)

 * Borough of Mount Carbon
 * Borough of Port Carbon
 * Borough of Mechanicsville
 * Borough of Palo Alto
 * Borough of Minersville
 * Borough of New Philadelphia
 * Borough of Middleport
 * Blythe Township
 * Village of Cumbola
 * Village of Kaska
 * East Norwegian Township
 * Village of Diener's Hill
 * Norwegian Township
 * Village of Marlin
 * Village of Seltzer
 * Village of New Street
 * Village of Mount Laffee
 * Village of Fairlane
 * North Manheim Township
 * Village of Becksville
 * Village of Connor's Crossing
 * Branch Township
 * Village of Dowdentown
 * Village of Llewellyn
 * Village of New Minersville
 * Village of New Minersville

Points of interest
The City of Pottsville has many points of interest, including:


 * Schuylkill County Courthouse (Tours Available) - N. Second Street & W. Laurel Blvd.
 * Henry Clay Monument - South 2nd Street
 * Garfield Square Monuments - N. Fifth & W. Market Streets
 * D. G. Yuengling & Son Brewery - (Tours Available) - S. 5th and Mahantongo Streets
 * Jerry's Classic Cars Museum - S. Centre Street near Mauch Chunk Street (Not exactly at the corner).
 * Schuylkill County Historical Society - N. Centre Street & W. Race Street
 * Jewish Museum of Eastern Pennsylvania - 2501 West End Avenue
 * Garfield Diner - N. Fourth & W. Market Streets at Garfield Square
 * General George Joulwan Monument - North Centre Street (just north of the Historical Society)
 * Veterans' Memorial Stadium (Home of Pottsville Crimson Tide Football) - N. 16th & Elk Avenue (Behind Pottsville Area High School).
 * John O'Hara Monument - S. Centre Street and W. Howard Avenue
 * Veterans' Memorial - General George Joulwan Park, E. Norwegian & Anderson Sts.
 * Pottsville Skatepark - E. Norwegian & Anderson Sts. (Joulwan Park)
 * JFK Memorial Pool - York Farm Road @ High Park Manor.
 * Sovereign Majestic Theater (Performing Arts) - N. Centre Street (half a block south of the Historical Society.)
 * World War I Monument - W. Arch & N. 11th Sts.

Sports
Pottsville fielded a team in the National Football League between 1925 and 1929 called the Pottsville Maroons. There is considerable controversy over whether the Maroons should have been awarded the 1925 NFL Championship instead of the Chicago Cardinals, who they beat on the field.

A Pottsville team is referred to in the 2008 movie "Leatherheads" starring George Clooney.

Pottsville Area High School has several sports teams including, Pottsville Crimson Tide football, basketball, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, baseball, soccer and golf. Girls sports are represented by the Lady Tide teams. Pottsville also has two Little Leagues associated with Little League Baseball, Inc. in Williamsport; they are Pottsville (Rotary) Little League located at 20th and Mahantongo Streets and Railway Park Little League located at the end of First Avenue. Railway Park was the U.S. Eastern Regional representative in the 1997 Little League World Series. And then the 10 year olds won A district in 2007. Pottsville also has a Babe Ruth League for teenage boys as well as a Teener League. The American Legion also sponsors a program for boys in their late teens. The Diocese of Allentown also sponsors CYO programs at All Saints School. Nativity BVM High School also offers football, basketball, track and field and volleyball along with other sports to their students. The Nativity Golden Girls Basketball team has won several State Championships.

The Pottsville Crimson Tide football team is one of the oldest prep football programs in the country. At the end of the 2007 football season, Pottsville had played 1137 games, which tied them for first in the nation among prep games played with Williamsport, Pennsylvania and Steelton-Highspire, Pennsylvania. The height of the Pottsville Crimson Tide football team's success recently came between the years on 2004 through 2006. In 2004, the Tide won their first AAA District IX Title over Jim Thorpe. The 2004 team was followed in 2005 with what many call the "best Pottsville High team ever", which featured great athletes on both sides of the ball, went 13-2 overall (9-1 regular season), a second straight AAA District IX Title, state playoff game wins over Pennsylvania state powers Strath Haven and Manheim Central and an appearance in the program's first state title game on December 9, 2005 - a game they would lose 23-13 to AAA state champion Franklin Regional. The 2006 season was another successul season for the Tide, which featured two Big 33 selections, experienced a 13-3 overall record (8-2 regular season), a third straight AAA District IX Title, and another appearance in the PIAA AAA state championship game, where they once again lost to the eventual state champion, this time General McClane.

Pottsville also hosted a home game for the New York Giants.

The Nativity Golden Girls basketball team has had a history of success. The Golden Girls started a twenty year streak of sending a team from Schuylkill County to the Pennsylvania state championship game (1987 to 2006). In 1978, Nativity defeated Brentwood 70-49 for their first state title. They would appear in the state championship eight more times after the 1978 season totaling nine appearances overall. In 1990, they beat Bellwood Antis 54-40 to capture their second title. Nativity would return to the helm in 1999 winning their third title by defeating Bishop Guilfoyle 74-67. In 2000, the Golden Girls finished off an impressive undefeated season of 33-0 with a win over Saegertown 64-54 repeating as champions. In 2001, their attempt for a three peat fell two points short losing to Kennedy Christian in the title game by a score of 48-46. Nativity’s most recent championship came in 2006, which was also the last year of the twenty year span Schuylkill County had a representative in the state championship game, where the Golden Girls defeated Conemaugh Valley 53-49.

Pottsville's Railway Park Little League participated in the Little League World Series in 1997.

Fire Department
Pottsville's Fire Department is mostly volunteer. The only non-volunteer positions are the fire chief and four assistant chiefs.

The following is a list of fire companies in the city.
 * Good Intent Fire Co No. 1  (Station 10)- S. Second & W. Division Sts.
 * Phoenix Fire Co. No. 2     (Station 20)- E. Norwegian & Line Sts.
 * Humane Fire Co. No. 1      (Station 30)- N. Third St. & W. Laurel Blvd.
 * Good Will Fire Co. No. 4   (Station 40)- Nichols Street & Terry Riley Way- www.goodwill40.com
 * West End Hose Co. No. 7    (Station 50)- N. 12th & W. Market St.
 * Yorkville Hose Co.    (Station 60)- N. 20th & W. Norwegian Sts.-www.yorkvillehose.com
 * American Hose Co. No 2 (Station 70)- S. Fourth & W. Norwegian Sts.

www.pottsvillefire.com is the official website of the Pottsville Fire Department

Media
The Republican & Herald is the only local daily newspaper serving Pottsville. There are also three radio stations broadcasting from Pottsville.
 * WAVT-FM 101.9-FM (Hot AC)
 * WPAM 1450-AM (Classic Rock)
 * WPPA 1360-AM (Talk & Sports)

The following is a list of other radio stations which can be heard in the Pottsville area: FM AM
 * 91.9 WGRC (Christian)
 * 92.5 WXTU (Country)
 * 93.3 WMMR (Active Rock)
 * 93.7 WSTW (Top-40)
 * 94.1 WIP-FM (Sports talk)
 * 94.5 WDAC(Christian)
 * 95.1 WZZO (Mainstream Rock)
 * 95.7 Ben-FM WBEN-FM (Adult Hits)
 * 96.1 Cat Country WCTO (Country)
 * 96.5 Wired 96.5 WRDW (Hip-Hop)
 * 96.9 FM97 WLAN (Top-40)
 * 97.3 The River WRVV (Rock)
 * 97.5 The Fanatic WPEN-FM (Sports)
 * 97.9 The X WBSX (Active Rock)
 * 98.1 WOGL Oldies 98(Oldies)
 * 99.9 The Hawk WODE (Classic Hits)
 * 100.3 The Beat WPHI(Hip-Hop)
 * 100.7 WLEV (Soft Rock)
 * 101.1 B101 WBEB (Soft Rock)
 * 101.3 The Rose WROZ (Soft Rock)
 * 102.5 Y-102 WRFY (Mainstream Rock)
 * 102.9 WMGK (Classic Rock)
 * 104.5 WRFF (Modern Rock)
 * 105.5 WMGH-FM Magic 105 (Adult Contemporary)
 * 105.7 The X WQXA (Active Rock)
 * 106.7 Mix 106.7 (Variety/Oldies)
 * 107.5 WBYN - FM 107.5 WBYN-FM (Christian Radio)
 * 560 WFIL-AM (Religious)
 * 610 WIP-AM (Sports)
 * 830 WEEU-AM (Talk)
 * 930 WHLM-AM (News)
 * 1060 KYW-AM (News)
 * 1450 WPAM-AM (Classic Rock)

The area is also served by local television stations from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. They include WNEP-TV 16 (ABC), WYOU-TV 22 (CBS), WBRE-TV 28 (NBC), WVIA-TV 44 (PBS) and WOLF-TV 56 (FOX).

Communications
Dial telephone service came to Pottsville on August 30, 1956 with Mayor George Heffner making the first call on the new MArket 2 exchange, which still exists. Since then five exchanges have been added to serve the city.

Transportation
Pottsville is served by a small general aviation airport, Schuylkill County Airport (ZER). Intercity public bus service is provided by a Trailways bus terminal, located in downtown Pottsville. The terminal also serves the community with Greyhound as well. The Trailways bus terminal will eventually be replaced by an intermodal center being built downtown .Mass transit for the greater Pottsville area is provided by Schuylkill Transportation System, which operates inter-city bus services throughout the county. Two major highways converge on Pottsville, PA Route 61 and U.S. Route 209.

Passenger train service between Pottsville, Reading and Philadelphia was operated by Conrail under the auspices of SEPTA until July 29, 1981. The station site has since been demolished and replaced with a parking lot.

Healthcare
Schuylkill Regional Medical Center is a non-profit affiliation between two community hospitals formerly known as Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and The Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, both of which are located in Pottsville. On August 1, 2008, Schuylkill Health became the new parent organization for both facilities and their related health systems. The medical center is designated a Level III Trauma center by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation.

Street grid
Norwegian Street divides north and south in the city; Centre Street divides east and west. Since the city is built on steep hills, the street layout is more complex.

Notable people

 * George Schalk was born in Germany in November 1825, trained as a locksmith, and moved to America after military service in 1862. He settled in Pottsville, and became renowned as a gunsmith and maker of exceptionally accurate target rifles. He died in October 1893.
 * Gary Becker, born in Pottsville in 1930, is a Nobel Prize winning economist (1992).
 * John E. Jones III, born in Pottsville in 1955, presided over the landmark intelligent design case, Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, in 2005.
 * General George Joulwan, born in Pottsville in 1939, a West Point graduate, was a 4-star General in the US Army and served as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe from 1993 to 1997.
 * Peggy Maley, born in Pottsville June 8, 1926; actress, including the movie, The Wild One.
 * John O'Hara, a short story writer and best-selling novelist, brought Pottsville 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.
 * Pat Flannery, former head men's basketball coach at Bucknell University.
 * The Molly Maguires, a criminal organization of Irish laborers, operated throughout the surrounding mining region in the late 19th century, committing numerous robberies, murders, and acts of terrorism. The Molly Maguires also engaged in passing counterfeit money and extortion. Six Molly Maguires were hanged in Pottsville for murder June 21, 1877. Molly Maguire ringleader Jack Kehoe was also hanged for murder in Pottsville December 18, 1878.
 * James Nagle, Civil War general in the Union Army, moved to Pottsville as a child and resided there the rest of his life
 * Arthur C. Neville, Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was born in Pottsville.
 * J. C. Neville, Wisconsin politician, lived in Pottsville after moving to the United States from Ireland.
 * Ralph Peters, born in Pottsville in 1952, has written extensively in both fiction and non-fiction. (For historical fiction he uses the name Owen Parry.)  He writes a regular column for the New York Post and has often appeared on television news programs commenting on military issues and current affairs.
 * Howie Smith, saxophonist, composer and educator was born in Pottsville in 1943. He is a full professor at the Cleveland State University and has been a frequent performer with the Cleveland Orchestra. In 1973 he set up the first ever Jazz Studies course in the Southern Hemisphere at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
 * Matt Wachter, bassist for Angels & Airwaves and former bassist for 30 Seconds to Mars
 * Bill Walsh (author), a Washington Post copy editor and author of books on English usage, was born in Pottsville in 1961.
 * Jude Wanniski (1936–2005) was economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan from 1978 to 1981. He was also associate editor of The Wall Street Journal from 1972 to 1978 and coined the term supply-side economics in 1976.
 * Muffet McGraw (born December 5, 1955 in Pottsville, PA) current head women's basketball coach at Notre Dame. 2001 national champions.

Public and private education

 * Pottsville Area School District which includes Pottsville Area High School, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, and John S. Clarke Elementary Center.
 * Nativity BVM High School - part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown education system.
 * All Saints Catholic Elementary School - part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown education system

Colleges and universities

 * McCann School of Business and Technology
 * Penn State Schuylkill, located in nearby Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
 * Alvernia University Schuylkill Satellite Campus