Berks County
District Township
Full Details
District Township, Berks County, PA.
Early Beginnings . . .
Settlers pushed their way up the Schuylkill Valley and its principal tributaries into the historic “Oley Hills.” As settlement began above the “Oley Hills,” the new area was called the district between Oley and Colebrookdale. The settlements extended more and more, until the county commissioners (in order to ease the assessment of property) divided the area into two sections—“East District” and “West District.” Separate assessment lists of these two districts were kept for many years. In 1759 the “Eastern District” was established as District Township, and in 1781 the “Western District” was named Earl Township.
Today District Township’s population is approximately 1500, and still remains true to the natural surrounding beauty of abundant woodlands, crisp streams, and historic farmlands.
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The Land area encompassed by District Township as well as most of Berks County was purchased in 1732 by an existing treaty between the Sachem of the Schuylkill tribe of Delaware (Lenni Lenape) Indians and the sons of William Penn (John, Thomas, and Richard Penn). District Township itself was established in 1759 as a part of previously organized Berks County.
The rugged terrain in the township was unsuitable for agriculture. For many years it was just referred to as "The District" between named townships. The cognomen finally stuck and was established officially as District Township.
The area began to be settled about 1745 chiefly by lately arrived Deutsch (Pennsylvania Dutch). These were mostly Lutheran or Reformed refugees of the European Wars of the Reformation. This religious class has been traditionally referred to as "The Church People". The Church People consisted of mostly Germans from the Palatinate but there were also Wurtembergers, Alsatians, Swiss and French Huguenots.
As these people arrived, they were welcomed by a burgeoning iron industry that had its start in 1719 on the lower Manatawny Creek at Pottstown. By 1745 the Schuylkill Valley contained four furnaces, forges and mills. Hereford Furnace near Huff Church employed many of the Township's first white residents. For most of the second half of the eighteenth century the area was utilized chiefly as a source of charcoal for the iron industry. Ancient charcoal burning pits are still found throughout the dense woodlands of the Township.
The clearing of forest for agricultural purposes did not progress at the pace of surrounding municipalities. Due to the steep terrain it was not a viable primary source of income. However, there were always some residents who farmed their land for the sake of needed supplemental earnings.
The iron industry flourished in the Township for one hundred years but diminished starting around 1900. It is of interest to note that the demise of the iron industry within the region was the cause for a decline in population after 1900. In 1900 the Township population was 651 persons and by 1930 it had dropped to 376. In 1960 the population was at 570, which was still below the figure in 1900.
Between 1960 and 1970, although the population of the State of Pennsylvania and Berks County had increased at a moderate pace, District Township increased at a substantial rate of 32 percent. Between 1970 and 1990 the population of the Township grew at at moderate rate compared to most municipalities within Berks County. most of this growth can be attributed to the availability of reasonably priced land, regional locality, a growing and expanding economy, improvements to the transportation network, and the development pressures associated with suburban sprawl.
Early Beginnings . . .
Settlers pushed their way up the Schuylkill Valley and its principal tributaries into the historic “Oley Hills.” As settlement began above the “Oley Hills,” the new area was called the district between Oley and Colebrookdale. The settlements extended more and more, until the county commissioners (in order to ease the assessment of property) divided the area into two sections—“East District” and “West District.” Separate assessment lists of these two districts were kept for many years. In 1759 the “Eastern District” was established as District Township, and in 1781 the “Western District” was named Earl Township.
Today District Township’s population is approximately 1500, and still remains true to the natural surrounding beauty of abundant woodlands, crisp streams, and historic farmlands.
More..
The Land area encompassed by District Township as well as most of Berks County was purchased in 1732 by an existing treaty between the Sachem of the Schuylkill tribe of Delaware (Lenni Lenape) Indians and the sons of William Penn (John, Thomas, and Richard Penn). District Township itself was established in 1759 as a part of previously organized Berks County.
The rugged terrain in the township was unsuitable for agriculture. For many years it was just referred to as "The District" between named townships. The cognomen finally stuck and was established officially as District Township.
The area began to be settled about 1745 chiefly by lately arrived Deutsch (Pennsylvania Dutch). These were mostly Lutheran or Reformed refugees of the European Wars of the Reformation. This religious class has been traditionally referred to as "The Church People". The Church People consisted of mostly Germans from the Palatinate but there were also Wurtembergers, Alsatians, Swiss and French Huguenots.
As these people arrived, they were welcomed by a burgeoning iron industry that had its start in 1719 on the lower Manatawny Creek at Pottstown. By 1745 the Schuylkill Valley contained four furnaces, forges and mills. Hereford Furnace near Huff Church employed many of the Township's first white residents. For most of the second half of the eighteenth century the area was utilized chiefly as a source of charcoal for the iron industry. Ancient charcoal burning pits are still found throughout the dense woodlands of the Township.
The clearing of forest for agricultural purposes did not progress at the pace of surrounding municipalities. Due to the steep terrain it was not a viable primary source of income. However, there were always some residents who farmed their land for the sake of needed supplemental earnings.
The iron industry flourished in the Township for one hundred years but diminished starting around 1900. It is of interest to note that the demise of the iron industry within the region was the cause for a decline in population after 1900. In 1900 the Township population was 651 persons and by 1930 it had dropped to 376. In 1960 the population was at 570, which was still below the figure in 1900.
Between 1960 and 1970, although the population of the State of Pennsylvania and Berks County had increased at a moderate pace, District Township increased at a substantial rate of 32 percent. Between 1970 and 1990 the population of the Township grew at at moderate rate compared to most municipalities within Berks County. most of this growth can be attributed to the availability of reasonably priced land, regional locality, a growing and expanding economy, improvements to the transportation network, and the development pressures associated with suburban sprawl.
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