Images of America Pottsville in the Twentieth Century

“Farewell 1899! Welcome 1900!” Was the headline in the Pottsville Republican on January 1, 1900. The people of Pottsville ushered in the new century in the usual manner with noisy gatherings and crowded churches. Coal was king in Schuylkill County during the 19th century, but the demise of coal had already begun by 1900. At the beginning of the 20th century Pottsville had seven volunteer fire companies, the second-finest courthouse in the state, a first-class hospital, twenty three churches, a $100,000 YMCA building, a public Mission, a free kindergarten, twelve fine schoolhouses, two parochial schools, and a free public library.

Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major have compiled this memorable history from the Society’s extensive vintage photograph collection. Ward and Major are also authors of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, and Schuylkill County Volume II. Cost:$19.95.   S & H $2.50.

ART WORK OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Originally Published in Nine Parts in 1896 ,Original Prints were Rotogravure

Faithfully Reproduced here by Lithographic Reproduction, 82 Beautiful Illustrations with names of Buildings, street Scenes, Scenes of towns and Cities, Churches, Residents, Schools, and Businesses
Don't delay
Order Today!

This is an "opportunity of a lifetime", to have this beautiful volume to browse through for hours and hours, among the many scenes of yesteryear, many of which have long since disappeared. The views of the towns and cities of Schuylkill County make it possible for you to have an overview of each of them. Street scenes are replete with wagons, buggies drawn by teams of horses or mules. Trolleys can be seen in the middle of the cobblestone and brick streets.

Maybe you will get a glimpse of some of the merchant's names on the buildings lining the streets This beautiful reproduction is printed by offset lithography on acid free paper and is library bound with sewn cloth reinforced end sheets. The binding material on this hardbound volume is covered with class A library buckram coated which is stain resistant. Prepublication Sale
Cost: Until August 20, 2003, you may purchase this volume for just $50.00 plus 6% sales tax for Pennsylvania residents and a mailing cost of $5.00. Or you may want to pick your copy up from the society. Date for pick up will be announced.
After August 20, 2003, the price will be $60.00
So order early and SAVE!

Who Killed Franklin Gowen? By Patrick Campbell, 2003

Who Killed Franklin Gowen? Is an in-depth analysis of the death of Franklin Gowen, whose death in Washington, D. C. on December 13, 1889, was called a suicide by the Washington coroner, but believed to be murder by Gowen’s immediate family. Gowen’s death created a sensation in the national newspapers.

Author Campbell did an exhaustive study of Gowen’s clues in search of clues that would prove that Gowen was murdered mysteriously by an unknown assailant. Molly Maguire buffs must have this book in their libraries.

Cost: $15.95.   S & H $2.50

A Molly Maguire Story by Patrick Campbell, 1992

On June 21, 1877, ten Irish-Americans were executed in the anthracite mining areas of Pennsylvania. All were accused of being members of a terrorist group called the Molly Maguires, and all were convicted of planning and carrying out the murders of mining officials, Ten more Irish-Americans were executed on the same charges. One of the men who were executed on June 21, 1877 was Alexander Campbell, grand-uncle of the author.

The author undertook a a fifteen year investigation of the execution of Alexander Campbell. A Molly Maguire Story is an account of that investigation.

Cost: $11.95.   S & H $2.50

A Guide to the Molly Maguires, Featuring the ORIGINAL Molly Maguire Tour, by H. T. Crown and Mark T. Major

Students of Molly Maguire history will find this book an indispensable aid to visiting the landmarks of that chapter of Pennsylvania’s colorful past. This guidebook is designed to map out the important places, people, and events of the Molly era. But even more than that, A guide to the Molly Maguires provides information that goes beyond directions, it allows for self-paced, self-study along the route of the tour. This second printing of this book includes 75 additional pages of new material so even if you purchased the first edition, you will want this one.

The Molly Maguire saga is geographically spread over five eastern Pennsylvania counties, with most key events happening in Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

Cost: $15.95.   S & H $2.50

A Molly Maguire On Trial; The Thomas Munley Story by H. T. Crown
Thomas Munley was the first of the Molly Maguires to be convicted in Schuylkill County in 1876. A study of the case reveals problems with the trial, jury make-up and witness testimony. The activities of James McParlan are also called into question.

"Howard Crown has provided many insights into one of the most controversial cases in the Molly Maguire sage, the Thomas Munley trial, which was a prime example of how an Irish worker could be sent to the gallows in the 1870s on evidence that would never be accepted today. Of special interest in this book is the role played by Pinkerton Detective agent James McParlan in sending Munley to his death." Patrick Campbell, Who Killed Franklin Gowen
Cost: $19.95   S & H $3.00

A Guide to the Molly Maguires
Featuring the ORIGINAL Molly Maguire Tour By H. T. Crown and Mark T. Major
Cost: $19.95   S & H $3.00

Making Sense of the Molly Maguires by Kevin Kenny, 1998

In the 1860s and 1870s, the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania drew national attention for their violence. After a series of assaults and killings, deep-rooted fears of a secret Irish terrorist organization hardened into certainty. Sixteen men were assassinated, most of them mine officials, and there were numerous beatings and acts of industrial sabotage.

Because of the uncertainties in the subject and the many biases involved in it, the story of the Mollies has not received the plain unvarnished truth that it needs. Kevin Kenny, in his superb book, has done that. “Making Sense of the Molly Maguires” is the best book ever written on the subject.

Cost: $19.95.   S & H $2.50.

BEERS 1916 GENEALOGY - Family History - Biography

A beautiful two volume set of over 1,200 pages of the families of Schuylkill County and the prominent citizens, listing their many children, their parents and relatives, their occupations, marriages and deaths. The two volumes traces where the families came from and if they left the county, where they went.

These two beautiful volumes are printed on acid free paper by offset lithography and contain hundreds o photographs of places and people dating back to the early days of the county.
Cost: $95.00 for the two volumes. S & H $7.00

The contents of this rare book include an Outline History of Pennsylvania, the History of Schuylkill County from its emergence out of Berks County, organization and growth of Schuylkill County, railroads, the development of the coal trade, education, labor troubles and Schuylkill County in the Civil War.

Also there are histories of Townships and Boroughs, Villages and Biographies. The book is filled with Portraits of people and many Illustrations of Schuylkill County scenes.

Cost:$57.50   S&H 4.50

Numerous advertisements of the many businesses of 1890 are included. The publication is printed on acid free paper by offset lithography. This is a collector's volume long to be used and admired by those fortunate enough to purchase one while they are available.
Cost: $80.00   S&H $4.50.

John Siney was an Irish immigrant who came to America in 1863, at the age of thirty-two, settled in Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, and rapidly became the leader of coal miners from the anthracite fields in Pennsylvania to the mines of Missouri.

Nowhere else has the story of Siney's life been so well told. Edward Pinkowski has dug carefully into the past. There is no dounbt that a great deal of research and hard work went into the writing of this book.
Cost: $24.95   S & H $3.50

Publications of the Historical Society of Schuylkill County, Vol. IX, No.1, 1989
The last days of the Confederacy, by Confederate General John B. Gordon; 125 Years of Journalism (History of the Miners' Journal and the Pottsville Journal), by Herwood E. Hobbs; The Story of the Yuengling Brewery, by Edith C. Yuengling; the History of the P&R C&I Co., by Bernard E. Buggy.
Price $10.00   S&H $2.50

Publications of the HSSC, 1994.
A collection of 20 historical musings of Leo L. Ward and originally published in the Pottsville Republican. Highly illustrated with historical photographs.
Price $15.00   S&H $2.50

Early Transportation of Schuylkill County, Second Printing 1972.
This is the story of transportation in Schuylkill County told with photographs from the colllection of the Historical Society of Schuylkill County. Detailed captions of the pictures are given. The book goes from early travel by stage coach to canal, railroad and trolley
Cost: $10.00   S&H 3.00

Images of America - Schuylkill County (Volume II)
by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major, 1998
Located in the rich anthracite coal fields of northeastern Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County was captured on film as early as the 1860s, when A. M. Allen set up Pottsville's first photography studio. The Historical Society of Schuylkill County has been collecting and preserving these images since 1903, bringing the history of the county of life once again in this, the third volume of the Historical Society's famous images.

This volume includes the images of the famous "Photographer in the Mines," George M Bretz, Souvenirs of Pottsville, Schuylkill County Houses of Worship, Scenes along Old Route 122, Schuylkill County Railroad Stations and Crossings and unique Views of Schuylkill County.
Cost: $18.99   S & H $3.00

The Petersburg Campaign, The Battle of The Crater, "The Horrid Pit",
June 25-August 6,1864
by Michael A. Cavanaugh and William Marvel, 1989.
A fascinating history of the famous battle of the Crater, which took place at a crucial time during the Civil War at Petersburg Virginia. Under the command of Col. Henry Pleasants of Pottsville, the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, composed of mostly coal miners; dug a minde under the Confederate lines, filling it with 8,000 pounds of dynamite. On the morning of July 30, 1864 the mine erupted under the Confederates, but what should have been a victory for the Federal forces turned into a disaster.
Cost: 19.95   S & H $3.00

View of the Borough & Environs of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, 1830( LITHOGRAPH ).
A view from Sharp Mountain drawn by an architect looking over the southern part of Pottsville depicting the Pioneer Tunnel, the Schuylkill River, and the Schuylkill Canal, with Port Carbon in the distance. The lithograph shows the island where John Pott set up hist first foundry. The island is surrounded by the Schuylkill River on the north and the Schuylkill Canal on the south.
Cost: $10.00  S & H $3.00

Mountain Majesties, by Charles Strange, 1996.
A historical novel set in Pottsville and Schuylkill County for the period 1927-1937. The novel tells the story of the elite families of Pottsville, the downward spiral of the Pheladelphia&Reading Coal&Iron Co., and the autobiography of the author.
Cost $9.95  S & H $3.00

A Turbulent Decade by Edward J. Thomas
Events which occured in Schuylkill County during the decade of the 1970's could be regarded as a turbulent decade. Edward J. Thomas presents the chronicle of that time in local history thatshaped the present.
Cost $14.95  S & H $3.00

The Reading Railroad Vol. II - History of a Coal Age Empire By James L. Holton
In Volume II, the author picks up the story of the Reading as it entered the twentieth century under attack from the newly born American labor movement as well as a hostile Federal government which led to a historic confrontation between the president of the company and the President of the United States.

A running battle with its arch-rival, the Pennsylvania Railroad, and sweeping technological and social changes n the country, prompted a new Reading management under the prodding of J. Peirpont Morgan.

Many historic Reading Railroad scenes make it a great book for the railroad collector. Cost:$24.00   S & H $4.50

Germanville by Norm Oley
"Germanville" is a novel that goes beyond the clichés of early life in the anthracite era of northeastern Pennsylvania which depicts every coal baron along with their descendants as virtue less and the rest of the populous as helpless victims. Author Oley's own background growing up in the land of the anthracite coal region, where his novel in situatied, shows in his depictions of the struggles and triumphs in the lives of everyday people who deal with their lot in life as best, and some cases as the worst. Oley's first novel shows that another John O'Hara may be in the making.
Cost:$9.95   S & H $4.50

Schuylkill County Railroads, Volume I (A VHS VIDEO TAPE).
A tape of the Schuylkill County Railroad scenes from the collection of Bruce Kantner showing the railroad from Port Carbon through Auburn, Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville, and Saint Clair to Frackville.
Narrated by Leo Haley.
Cost 19.95  S&H $3.50
Limited quantities please inquire BEFORE ordering

Schuylkill County Railroads, Volume II (A VHS VIDEO TAPE).
A video tape of Sch County railroad scenes from the collection of Bruce Kantner showing the railroad from Port Clinton along the Little Schuylkill River to Tamaqua, Mahanoy City to Ashland.
Narrated by Leo Haley.
Cost 19.95  S&H $3.50
Limited quantities please inquire BEFORE ordering

Old Schuylkill
"Old Schuylkill" is a video history that tells the fascinating story of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, from its origin in the late 1700s throught he end of the Molly Maguire era.

This detailed, captivating video allows the people of "Old Schuylkill" to recount the history of the county in their own words. The video features interviews with local historians from Schuylkill County - hundreds of rare historical photographs - and much more.
Cost: $22.95   S & H $ 3.50

Jack Kehoe Mock Trial Glasses
Souvenirs of the mock trial that the Historical Society of Schuylkill County condicted of the famous "Black Jack" Kehoe. The jury found Kehoe innocent in the trial, proving that his trial and execution was a travesty of justice.
Cost: $7.00   S & H $3.00

Soldiers Memorial Plate The plate was commissed by the Historical Society of Schuylkill County to commemorate the 100th anniversary and re-dedication of the Soldier's Monument in Pottsville, PA, October 1, 1991
Cost:$15.00   S & H $4.50

Great Train Wrecks of Eastern Pennsylvania By Charles J. Adams III and David J. Seibold 1992
Stirring true stories of the most historical and chilling railroad accidents in the heartland of American Railroading. Cost:

Images of America - Schuylkill County, by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major, 1996
A collection of photographs from the HSSC, including the Girard Estate, Tumbling Run, The Molly Maguires, Schuylkill County towns, homes and disasters.
Cost: $16.99

Images of America - Pottsville, by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major, 1995
A collection of photographs from the HSSC, including Anthracite Mining, The Schuylkill Canal, Railroads, Trolleys, Pottsville Scenes, People and Places, and Businesses.
Cost:$16.99

Also available at the HSSC are various publications from Closson Press of local church and cemetery records from Schuylkill County and some surrounding counties, compiled by Jean Dellock, Steve Dellock and/or Philip Rice. It includes the 3 volume set of Schuylkill County Archives.

It is suggested to call for availablility of items, taxes as applicable, and confirm shipping and handling cost.