Learning about the rich history of Schuylkill County can be as easy as hitting the road and looking for bright blue historical markers.

Placed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Schuylkill County has 26 of the roadside markers, spanning from Pine Grove in the south to Sheppton in the north.

In a few short, engraved sentences the signs tell of important events that happened at the places they’re placed.

“PHMC’s State Historical Markers are intended to be jumping off points for discussion and further exploration of Pennsylvania history,” said Howard Pollman, commission spokesman. “We hope people will see them and be inspired to find out more about the people, places, events, and innovations that made Pennsylvania what it is today.”

The county seat in Pottsville has five of the county’s markers.

And they’re diverse. One is a nod to the late novelist John O’Hara, who lived in the city. Another celebrates the Pottsville Maroons, a National Football League team, while another marks the site of the 1877 hangings of six Molly Maguires at the Schuylkill County Prison.

“More than 2,500 blue and gold markers feature subjects having statewide or national significance,” Pollman explained. “Subjects covered include Native Americans, early settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, factories and businesses, inventors and inventions and a whole host of other topics.”

The county’s first marker - one for Fort Lebanon near Auburn - was dedicated on Feb. 20, 1949.

The most recent one was dedicated in 2015 for the Sheppton Mine Disaster and Rescue. It pays tribute to 1963, when rescuers were able to retrieve two of the three men who became trapped underground by raising them through holes bored through solid rock.

Another Schuylkill County marker will be placed in the autumn.

“On Oct. 22 of this year a marker will be dedicated to Fighter’s Heaven, Muhammad Ali’s former training camp near Orwigsburg. The marker was approved by the PHMC in 2020,” Pollman said.

It will read: “In 1972 Muhammad Ali established this training camp, where he prepared for some the biggest fights of his career, notably Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila. Future heavyweight champions Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad began their careers sparring there with Ali. He hosted many celebrities at Fighter’s Heaven, including Andy Warhol, Diana Ross, and Tom Jones, and gave his famous interview with Dick Cavett there.”

Nominations for historical markers may be submitted by any person or organization. New markers are approved and dedicated each year. Most markers are dedicated in public events featuring public officials, local historians, community representatives and others. Each dedication presents opportunities for Pennsylvanians to celebrate and understand their heritage.

The number of nominations varies from year to year, Pollman said.

“This year we have 93. As a comparison in 2020, when the Fighter’s Heaven marker was approved, we had 48,” Pollman said.

The markers

The text of historical markers in Schuylkill:

Ashland

Ashland Boys’ Association – North Hoffman Boulevard. Widespread job loss in Pennsylvania’s anthracite region in the late 19th century led many Ashland “boys” to seek employment elsewhere. Strong attachment to the miners’ former hometown prompted formation of the A.B.A. c. 1900. Until 1976, the A.B.A. held Labor Day homecoming celebrations and during the Great Depression raised funds for the WPA-built Mothers’ Memorial. It symbolizes abiding affection for family and community felt here and in the industrial US.

Auburn

Fort Lebanon – Route 895 at Fort Lebanon Road. One of a line of defenses erected about 1755 to ward off Indian raids after Braddock’s defeat. Called Fort William in 1758.

Coaldale

Mary Harris “Mother” Jones – Route 209 and First Street. Labor leader, worker advocate. In October 1900 she led a march of 2,000 women from McAdoo to Coaldale to aid a six-week strike called in September by the United Mine Workers of America for higher wages, recognition and a grievance process. Many mineworkers stopped work and joined the union. Concessions by anthracite coal operators and unmet union demands resulted in the anthracite coal strike of 1902.

Frackville

Mahanoy Plane - Route 924, north end of Frackville. Critical to the Pa. anthracite industry, this inclined plane railroad transported coal from the Mahanoy Valley up the Broad Mountain to Frackville. Opened in 1862 as part of the Reading Railroad system, improvements in the early 20th century increased its size and capacity, making it an engineering marvel able to meet national demands. After hoisting hundreds of millions of tons of coal, it closed in 1932. Partial ruins remain.

Hegins

Tulpehocken Path - Main Street near Forest Drive. Along this ridge, between Deep and Pine creeks, ran the Tulpehocken Path. It connected Shickellamy’s capital of Shamokin, now Sunbury, with the Tulpehocken Valley. Traveled by Indian ambassadors and Christian missionaries.

Mahanoy City

Birth of Cable Television (marker missing). The first cable television system in Pennsylvania, believed to be the first in the United States, was established June 1948 in Mahanoy City by John Walson. This community antenna system, operated by Mr. Walson’s Service Electric Company, initially connected only three channels to his Main and Pine Street store and a few homes. In the following decade, Service Electric grew to serve many thousands of cable subscribers.

Victor Schertzinger (1888-1941) - 115 W. Centre St. Violin prodigy who performed with John Philip Sousa and later became a film director and composer. He pioneered the use of original music for films, and his film “One Night of Love” won best musical score and sound recording Oscars in 1934. He composed the pop standard “Tangerine.” Among many films he directed were two of the Hope and Crosby “Road” movies. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His childhood home was here.

New Philadelphia

Valley Furnace - Route 209 near Pine Street. First furnace to use only anthracite for fuel, 1836. Built by Dr. F.W. Geissenhainer, who patented the method in 1833. Process in use continuously by the Pottsville or Pioneer Furnace, 1839 and after.

Pine Grove

Tulpehocken Path - 205 N. Tulpehocken St. On other side of the creek, where the old road runs, the Tulpehocken Path entered the “Gaps of the Swatara.” In 1743 Conrad Weiser, John Bartram, and Lewis Evans passed here for Onondaga with peace messages from Virginia to the Six Nations.

Union Canal (marker missing). The Swatara Feeder Branch extended along the creek from Pine Grove to the main line at Water Works. It was navigable from 1832 to 1862. Coal from nearby mines was carried to Reading and Middletown, and to points along the way.

Conrad Richter - 11 Maple St. The novelist, born in Pine Grove, wrote about American frontier life. His books include “The Town” and “The Waters of Kronos.” A recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, Richter lived and worked in this house, 1950-1968.

Port Carbon

Schuylkill Canal - Veterans Park, Pine and Pike streets. The 108-mile canal from Philadelphia linked this region’s anthracite coal fields with industrial markets along the U.S. east coast. In 1828 the Schuylkill Navigation Company completed the canal to Port Carbon, which was its northern terminus until 1853.

Pottsville

Burd Patterson - 803 Mahantongo St. Anthracite pioneer. He developed slope method for mining below water table, 1835. His Pottsville Furnace was the first successful smelter of anthracite iron, 1839-40. His home, built 1830-35, was first of the mansions to line Mahantongo St.

Molly Maguire Executions - Schuylkill County Prison. On June 21, 1877, six “Molly Maguires,” an alleged secret society of Irish mine- workers, were hanged here. Pinkerton detective James McParlan’s testimony led to convictions for violent crimes against the coal industry, yet the facts of the labor, class, and ethnic conflicts, even the existence of the organization, remain contested. Four others were hanged on this day at the county jail in Mauch Chunk; 10 more were executed in Pa. through 1879.

Schuylkill County - Laurel Boulevard and North Second Street. Formed March 1, 1811 out of Northampton and Berks counties. Parts of Columbia and Luzerne counties added 1818. The name honors the Schuylkill River. County seat, Pottsville, was made a borough in 1828; city in 1911. A center of the anthracite coal industry.

Pottsville Maroons - 305 N. Center St. The legendary team played as a member of the National Football League here, 1925-28. In 1925 the Maroons compiled a record widely viewed as the league’s best. They climaxed their season by defeating Notre Dame in a well publicized pro vs. college match in Philadelphia-but then were denied the NFL championship in a controversial league decision. Despite strong regional support, their franchise moved to Boston in 1929.

John O’Hara - 606 Mahantongo St. This was the home, from 1916 to 1928, of one of America’s best known novelists and short-story writers. Born at Pottsville in 1905, he used this anthracite region as a setting for several of his major works. O’Hara died at Princeton, N.J., in 1970.

Pottsville Area

Firth Dock (1828-1871) - Route 209 between Pottsville and Port Carbon. This anthracite coal transportation facility helped fuel America’s Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. It was vital to the shipment of up to 1/2 million tons of coal annually along the Schuylkill Canal to Philadelphia and throughout the region. Also known as Palo Alto Loading Dock, it was built by the Schuylkill Navigation Company on land held by stockholder and Philadelphia merchant Thomas Firth.

Reinerton

Les Brown - 1944 E. Grand Ave. Born in Reinerton, Les Brown enjoyed a 70-year career in American popular music, conducting his famous “Band of Renown” and helping launch the career of Doris Day with the number one hit Sentimental Journey; longtime bandleader for Bob Hope and Dean Martin.

St. Clair

John Siney (1831-1880) - Route 61. Pioneering labor organizer and leader of the Workingmen’s Benevolent Association of Schuylkill County, a union of anthracite mineworkers. Formed nearby in 1868, WBA had 20,000 members in 22 districts; secured state mine safety laws and the first labor contract in the industry. Siney was president of the Miners National Association and was active in the Greenback Labor Party.

Shenandoah

1902 Anthracite Coal Strike - Centre and Union streets. In May 1902, 150,000 mineworkers struck for six months for higher wages, union recognition, shorter hours, and other demands. A July 30 riot of 5,000 strikers in Shenandoah led to its occupation by the PA National Guard and influenced President Theodore Roosevelt to set up the Anthracite Coal Commission. Some worker demands were granted. The strike introduced an impartial federal role in labor disputes.

Dorsey Brothers - 5 N. Main St. Trombonist Tommy Dorsey (1905-56) & saxophonist Jimmy Dorsey (1904-57) were key figures of the “big band” era. Born within three miles of here, both grew up and began their musical careers in Shenandoah. Until 1935 the brothers performed together. They led separate orchestras during the next 18 years before being reunited. Frank Sinatra was a featured singer with Tommy’s orchestra, 1940-42.

Little Lithuania, USA - 5 N. Main St. A center for Lithuanian settlement since the late 1800s, Schuylkill County’s population has the greatest concentration of Lithuanian ancestry in the US. The coal industry drew many of these immigrants. The local Knights of Lithuania, among the nation’s oldest chapters, celebrates and preserves its ethnic heritage. Rev. Andrius Stupinskas who led one of the first Lithuanian American Catholic congregations (1872) is buried in St. George cemetery.

St. Michael’s Church - corner of Chestnut and Oak streets. Founded by Ukrainian immigrants in 1884, St. Michael’s was the first church of the Greek Catholic Rite in America. Present church edifice, of the Byzantine style, was erected in 1983.

Sheppton

Sheppton Mine Disaster and Rescue - Schoolhouse Road. On August 27, 1963, rescuers used a new technique to drill a borehole that successfully freed two coal miners trapped for nearly 2 weeks by a shaft cave-in 320 feet below ground. One miner was lost, and the incident gained national attention and prompted more stringent safety regulations for small independent mines. The borehole technique has been widely used for mine rescues worldwide, notably at Quecreek (2002) and Chile (2010).

West Penn Township

Fort Franklin - 2309 W. Penn Pike.

Built in 1756 as defense from Indian attacks. Named for Benjamin Franklin, who ordered construction. It was of limited use; abandoned in 1757. The Fort stood a short distance above present highway.