Potts Grove, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

 

There are two Pottsgrove's in Pennsylvania - on in Montgomery County, and one in Northumberland County.  It can be confusing, when looking at old photos.  

Wikipedia appears to differentiate the two by adding a space to the Northumberland County town - "Potts Grove is an unincorporated community in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.  The community is located along Pennsylvania Route 642 3.3 miles (5.3 km) east-southeast of Milton. Potts Grove has a post office with ZIP code 17865, which opened on January 18, 1830"

From Bell's History Of Northumberland County:

POTTSGROVE.
This village is situated four miles southeast of Milton, where the road leading from Milton to Danville is crossed by that leading from Northumberland to Washingtonville. It is also located near the Catawissa branch of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad. 

 Two churches, a public school building, several stores, the shops of several mechanics, and a population of about a hundred people constitute the town at present. 

 The land on which it stands was first owned by William Reed, who came to this section during the Revolutionary war and erected the first house in this locality, about a quarter of a mile south of Pottsgrove on the Northumberland and Washingtonville road. He was the first justice of the peace in this part of the county, having been commissioned by Governor Mifflin.

The first house in the village was erected by James Reed, a son of William Reed, in l784, with Alexander Reed as carpenter. In this house James Reed established the first hotel in 18l8, known as "Travelers' Inn." Here the first post office was also established, in 1821, with James Reed as first postmaster. The old hotel building is still standing, and is at present occupied by William Reed, a son of James Reed, who is the oldest resident of this part of the county.  

The first industry was a tannery, built near the present limit of the village by a Mr. Shoemaker, who immigrated from Berks county in1810. This tannery was in operation till some five years ago, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1820 the first blacksmith shop was opened by David Perry, who was for many years the "village blacksmith" of Pottsgrove. The first weaver was Hans Potts, from whom the place derives its name. The first store was established in 1832 by the firm of Sproll & Park, who did business five years. when they dissolved partnership and James Reed started a store in connection with his hotel and post office. After his death the business of storekeeping was not conducted for some years. In 1881 L. J. Beaver built the present store room on the southwest corner of the crossroads, and established therein a general mercantile trade. In 1880 B. M. Beaver established a coal and grain market in connection with a steam grist mill, which business he conducted for some time. His successor was a Mr. Blue, who did a successful business until May, 1890, when the establishment burned and operations ceased. 

Pottsgrove Lodge, No. 623, I.O.O.F., was chartered on the 21st of March, 1890

The Sam Wagner Covered Bridge

Lutheran Parsonage, Pottsgrove PA

This postcard, found on ebay, specified in the listing that it is Northumberlnd County, but without looking at more photos for reference, I can't verify that - it could be a mistake in the listing.

The Chilisquaque Presbyterian Church Cookbook
There's a history of that church written by Gardner - https://discover.hsp.org/Record/marc-100105

Center School, Pottsgrove

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Misc

 Pottsgrove Mentions
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John S. Montgomery of Milton purchased a store in Pottsgrove in August 1888.

He operated it alone, "for a time", and then his brothers Daniel M. & William A entered into a partnership with him. The firm continued to "do a large retail business in taht community".  In 1905 John retired from the buisiness, and moved to Milton. John had also served as the Postmaster in Pottsgrove for 8 years. From the obituary of John Montgomery, May 11 1922

"William Follmer erected a mill on Limestone run in the southeastern  part of the township and operated it for several years; it was then  removed to Pottsgrove, and subsequently destroyed by fire."  and  "The Pottsgrove Steam Flour Mill was removed from Limestone run, Turbut Township, and rebuilt at Pottsgrove by William Follmer, Michael Rissel, and James Smith, and after being successfully operated for some time, was destroyed by fire several years since.  "   - Bells History of North'd Co

The Miltonian, January 1931

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I'm not certain which Pottsgrove this photo is from.  Montgomery County, or Northumberland County?

Another one I am not sure about.  This one is a "Sleppy Photo", so tracking the photographer may help clarify which Pottsgrove this was.  Dated 1910, main street Pottsgrove.

The "Other" Pottsgrove, in Montgomery County:

• McMahons Feed store was in Montgomery County
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Mother in law of congressman McHenry died in Pottsgrove