Pottsville
Around Pottsville
Photo: David Lindenmuth · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Pennsylvania · 144k people
Pottsville
Locals say Coal Region · “Coal City”
Where the hills are black with history
Brick RedAnthracite Black
Welcome to the Coal Region! Whether you're here for the history, the outdoors, or just a good pierogie, you'll find a friendly community. Grab a Yuengling and join the conversation.
Clubs for Pottsville
No clubs for Pottsville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Pottsville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Pottsville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Yuengling Brewery America's oldest brewery, offering tours and tastings
- Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train Historic anthracite mine tour and steam train ride in Ashland
- Locust Lake State Park Lake, beach, camping, and hiking in Barnesville
- Tuscarora State Park Lake fishing, boating, and trails in Barnesville
- Sweet Arrow Lake County Park County park with a lake, trails, and picnic areas
- The Majestic Theater Historic performing arts theater in Pottsville
- Outdoors Hiking the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Fishing in the Schuylkill River
- With kids Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine tour
- With kids Locust Lake State Park beach
- Evenings Taverns with live music
- Evenings Yuengling Brewery taproom
- Locals love Diner breakfasts
- Locals love Neighborhood taverns
Through the year
- Schuylkill County Fair August August at the fairgrounds in Schuylkill Haven
- Pottsville Halloween Parade October October, a big community parade through downtown
- Yuengling Summer Concert Series June–August Outdoor concerts at the brewery, summer evenings
- Tamaqua Arts & Crafts Festival September September, local artists and crafts along the main street
- Schuylkill Haven Riverfront Park Concerts Summer Free summer concerts by the river
The Coal Region has a continental climate – cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out – mild temps and fewer bugs.
Talk like a local
- “youse”
- plural you
- “red up”
- to clean up
- “gum band”
- rubber band
- “dippy eggs”
- over-easy eggs
Getaways
- Bloomsburg Home of the Bloomsburg Fair and a charming downtown
- Reading The Pagoda, outlet shopping, and the Reading Railroad heritage
- Lebanon Lebanon bologna, the farmers market, and historic sites
- Selinsgrove Susquehanna University campus and riverside walks
Local flavour
Rooting for Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Pierogies Eastern European staple
- Kielbasa Smoked sausage
- Halushki Cabbage and noodles
- Scrapple Pennsylvania Dutch pork loaf
- Yuengling Lager Brewed in Pottsville
Where people go
- Coal mine tours
- Anthracite museums Local history of the coal boom
- Diners Classic American diners
- Taverns Neighborhood bars with character
- Polish American clubs Cultural social halls
- Fire halls Community gathering spots
- Row home neighborhoods Tight-knit streets of brick houses
Heritage and traditions
Pottsville and the Coal Region take pride in their hard-working anthracite mining heritage, the resilient Eastern European immigrant cultures that shaped the towns, and being home to America's oldest brewery, Yuengling.
This time of year in Pottsville
- Harvest festivals and haunted hayrides Fall Fall events at farms and community centers.
Say it like a local: “crick” — A small stream or creek
Festivals
- Pottsville St. Patrick's Day Parade March A lively parade with floats, bands, and Irish step dancers in March.
- Tamaqua Heritage Festival September Celebrates the town's ethnic diversity with food, music, and demonstrations.
- Shenandoah Heritage Day June Showcases Italian and Eastern European traditions, including street food and music.
Landmarks with a story
- Schuylkill County Courthouse A grand 1890s courthouse in Pottsville, symbol of local justice and history.
- Henry Clay Monument A statue of the statesman erected in Pottsville in 1855, a rare public tribute.
- Molly Maguire Memorial A memorial in Shenandoah commemorating the labor movement and the Molly Maguires.
- Tamaqua Railroad Station A restored 19th-century station now housing a museum and visitor center.
- St. Patrick's Church (Pottsville) Historic Roman Catholic parish reflecting the Irish immigrant heritage.
- St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church (Pottsville) A Byzantine-rite church with onion domes, representing Eastern European roots.
Food traditions
- Chrusciki (Angel Wings) A Polish fried pastry dusted with powdered sugar, traditionally made for Christmas and Easter.
- Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage) Cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice, a staple from Slovak and Polish kitchens.
- Borscht Beet soup often served on Easter, reflecting Eastern European roots.
- Lenten Fish Fries Churches and fire halls host Friday fish fries during Lent, a community tradition.
- Pierogie Making Parties Families and church groups gather to make large batches of pierogies, a social event.
Music and arts
- Polka music A lively dance music tradition brought by Eastern European immigrants, still played at festivals and clubs.
- Coal region folk songs Ballads and work songs about mining life, passed down through generations.
- Ethnic folk dance groups Polish and Slovak dance troupes perform at cultural events.
- Church choirs Strong choral tradition in Catholic and Orthodox parishes.
A little history
- 1829 Yuengling founded
- 1870s Molly Maguire trials and executions in Schuylkill County
- 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike, a major labor event
- 1925 Pottsville Maroons claim NFL championship (later disputed)
- 1800s Coal mining boom brings waves of Eastern European immigrants
Rivalries
- Pottsville vs. Tamaqua High school football rivalry that fills the stands
- Schuylkill Haven vs. Pottsville Friendly competition in multiple sports
- Minersville vs. Mahanoy City Basketball games get intense
- Penn State vs. Pitt College football debate among local fans
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Pottsville Maroons legacy
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing at Tuscarora State Park
- Outdoors Snowshoeing on game lands
- With kids Attending a church bazaar
- With kids Riding the Pioneer Tunnel coal mine train
The Coal Region accent blends Eastern European and Irish influences. Locals often say 'youse' for 'you all', 'crick' for 'creek', and 'pop' for soda. The word 'pierogie' is pronounced with a distinct stress on the second syllable.
Only here
- Yuengling is the oldest operating brewery in the United States, founded in 1829.
- The Pottsville Maroons, a 1920s NFL team, claimed a championship that was later disputed.
- The Molly Maguire trials took place in Schuylkill County, a pivotal labor history event.
- The region sits atop the largest anthracite coal deposit in the world.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Schuylkill as 'SKOO-kul', Tamaqua as 'tuh-MAH-kwa', and Mahanoy as 'muh-HOY'.
- Try a pierogie and a Yuengling lager—both are local icons.
- Be ready for cold, snowy winters and potholes in early spring.
- Visit the Schuylkill County Historical Society to understand the coal mining legacy.
- Use 'youse' when addressing a group—it's the local way.
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Pottsville, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.