Schuylkill County

Schuylkill County is an administrative unit in eastern Pennsylvania that covers forested hills and small towns once shaped by coal mining. The territory includes several rivers and creeks, among them the Schuylkill River, which flows through varied terrain before continuing south.

The county was formed in 1811 from parts of Berks County and Northampton County after anthracite coal was discovered in the Pottsville area during the 1790s. Mining drew thousands of workers and transformed small settlements into busy towns that grew through the 20th century.

German immigrants and Eastern European miners shaped the local traditions through their customs, foods, and mining practices that continue today.

Visitors can drive through small towns and observe former mining structures along rural roads, especially in the northern and western parts. Information about public offices and municipal services is available online if business needs arise.

Several towns across the county carry German names that recall early settlers from Germany and Switzerland who arrived during the 18th and 19th centuries. Miners' cemeteries lie scattered across rural areas, marking the hard working conditions and accidents that shaped community life.

Location: Pennsylvania

Inception: March 1, 1811

Capital city: Pottsville

Shares border with: Luzerne County, Columbia County, Northumberland County, Dauphin County, Lebanon County, Berks County, Lehigh County, Carbon County

Website: http://co.schuylkill.pa.us

GPS coordinates: 40.70000,-76.21000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:50