History:

Pottsville is a third class city located in Schuylkill County and has a 1990 population of 16,603. The site of Pottsville was originally located in Chester County. Subsequently Pottsville became part of Lancaster County, then Berks and ultimately in 1811 Schuylkill County. The borough of Pottsville became Schuylkill County's seat in 1851. Pottsville became a third class city in 1911.

Pottsville's anthracite coal history began in 1790 with the discovery of coal made by the 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. In 1806 John Potts purchased the furnace and then founded the City of Pottsville.