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Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Pottstown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Population 23,433

Top Events in Pottstown History

1
1714Military
After establishment of the first iron forge in 1714, Pottstown's fortunes became tied to the iron industry, and blast furnaces for production of iron and later steel eventually ...
2
1752History
Pottstown was laid out in 1752–53 and named Pottsgrove in honor of its founder, John Potts.
3
1761Government
John Potts founded a town in 1761 on part of the 995 acres (4.03 km2) that he owned.
4
1815Government
The old name was abandoned at the time of the incorporation as a borough in 1815.
5
1838Infrastructure
The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad mainline reached Pottstown in 1838.
6
1842Infrastructure
The extension of the railroad to Mount Carbon in 1842 facilitated the movement of raw materials and finished goods that helped Pottstown's economy grow.
7
1888History
In 1888, the limits of the borough were considerably extended.
8
1944History
In 1944, the borough adopted a city manager form of government.
9
1964Government
By 1964, the borough saw the need to reorganize the municipal government.
10
1979History
The first came in 1979 in the Spot News Photography category by staff photographer Tom Kelly.

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Historical Timeline

1714Military
After establishment of the first iron forge in 1714, Pottstown's fortunes became tied to the iron industry, and blast furnaces for production of iron and later steel eventually ...
1752History
Pottstown was laid out in 1752–53 and named Pottsgrove in honor of its founder, John Potts.
1761Government
John Potts founded a town in 1761 on part of the 995 acres (4.03 km2) that he owned.
1815Government
The old name was abandoned at the time of the incorporation as a borough in 1815.
1838Infrastructure
The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad mainline reached Pottstown in 1838.
1842Infrastructure
The extension of the railroad to Mount Carbon in 1842 facilitated the movement of raw materials and finished goods that helped Pottstown's economy grow.
1888History
In 1888, the limits of the borough were considerably extended.
1944History
In 1944, the borough adopted a city manager form of government.
1964Government
By 1964, the borough saw the need to reorganize the municipal government.
1979History
The first came in 1979 in the Spot News Photography category by staff photographer Tom Kelly.
1981Government
Passenger train service between Reading/Pottstown and Philadelphia was operated by Conrail under the auspices of SEPTA until July 29, 1981, when all non-electrified routes were ...
1983History
In existence since 1983, PCTV produces programming on three local cable channels: 22, 27 and 98.
1990History
The second came in 1990 for Editorial Writing by Tom Hylton.
2000History
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,859 people, 9,146 households, and 5,533 families residing in the borough.
2006History
As of 2006–2008 Census Bureau Estimates, there were 22,018 people living in Pottstown.
2010History
== Demographics == As of the 2010 census, the borough was 72.1% White, 19.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian, and 4.4% were tw...
2011History
Originally WPAZ, the station changed its call letters to WBZH on October 28, 2011, and back to WPAZ on January 25, 2013.
2013History
On November 1, 2013, the station began a traditional Christian music format of religious hymns and songs.
2025Civil Rights
Amtrak Thruway service to Pottstown was discontinued on March 18, 2025.

Did You Know?

1
Pottstown is located in the state of Pennsylvania.
2
Pottstown has a population of 23,433 residents.
3
Pottstown was laid out in 1752–53 and named Pottsgrove in honor of its founder, John Potts.

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A
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Famous People from Pottstown, Pennsylvania

BB
Benjamin Markley Boyer
Politician · Born Jan 22, 1823 · Died Aug 16, 1887 (age 64)
ED
Eugene Daub
Contemporary Figure Sculptor · Born Nov 13, 1942 · Age 83
JE
Joel Erhardt
Police Commissioner · Born Feb 21, 1838 · Died Sep 8, 1909 (age 71)
MM
Matthew Meigs
Educator, Scholar, Presbyterian Clergyman · Born Feb 5, 1812 · Died Oct 9, 1889 (age 77)
ES
Earl Strom
Basketball Referee · Born Dec 15, 1927 · Died Jul 10, 1994 (age 66)
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