History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 77

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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LANCASTER BRIDGE .- The county commis- sioners were authorized, by an act of Assembly passed April 23, 1829, to erect a bridge over the river at Gerber's ferry, on the road from Reading to Lancaster. They entered into a contract, on the 20th of February, 1830, with Schuyler & Fletcher for the construction of this bridge of wood, with roof and sides, on stone abutments, at ten thousand dollars. It was finished in 1831. Its length was three hun- dred and fifty-two feet-two spans, each one hundred and seventy-six feet. This was the second bridge erected across the Schuylkill. The ferry at this point was owned previously by John Strohecker, after whom it was called "Strohecker's Ferry." He sold it to John Gerber, and thence it took the name of " Ger- ber's Ferry." This bridge has been known since as the " Lancaster Bridge."

In January, 1838, a part of the bridge was swept away by a high freshet, and in 1850 two spans were swept away by the great freshet. In the freshet of 1869 the eastern half was washed away.

In 1876 (July 9th) the bridge was destroyed by fire-the act of young incendiaries. Shortly before there were loud complaints about its inse- curity and darkness and its unpleasant condition on account of dust. The county commissioners caused a fine iron bridge to be erected in its stead, having been opened to travel on January 2, 1877. It was the first large iron bridge- structure erected in the county. It was declared free of toll in 1883.

POPLAR NECK BRIDGE .- Immediately after the completion of the " Lancaster Bridge, ' the

1 Councils gave A. K. Stauffer, Esq., a vote of thanks for his efforts and public spirit in this proceeding.

437

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Legislature authorized the erection of a county toll-bridge across the river at " Poplar Neck," about four miles below Reading. The act was passed on the 31st of January, 1832, and the following commissioners were named in it : Peter Kline, Jr., Greenwich ; John Miller, Albany ; John Rutter, Colebrookdale; Daniel Eyster, Pike; Jacob Banman, Earl ; and Henry Keely, Douglass.

These commissioners acted in pursuance of the powers conferred upon them, reported that the bridge was necessary and the county com- missioners accordingly built the same during 1832 and 1833. It has been maintained till now hy the county. Toll was exacted till the county bridges were declared free, in 1883.

At this place a ferry had been conducted for many years before 1832. It was known as "Lewis' Ferry." In 1816 a company was authorized to be organized, and certain com- missioners were then appointed to construct a bridge across the Schuylkill at this point ; but the spirit for this improvement was suffered to pass away, and the people of that vicinity did not secure a bridge for sixteen years after- ward, when it was erected for them by the county.

PRIVATE BRIDGES.

The following private bridges were erected across the Schuylkill by private individuals or stock companies specially incorporated and an- thorized for that purpose :

North of Reading. South of Reading. Birdsboro'.

Bell's.

Kissinger's.

Monocacy.

Leiss'.

Douglassville.

Stoudt's Ferry. Althouse's.

Mohr's.

Windsor Haven.

BELL'S BRIDGE .- In 1822, Samuel Bell was authorized to erect a substantial bridge across the Schuylkill near his fording-place, opposite the road known by the name of Lardner's Lane, provided that he finish the same within five years. He commenced its erection, but was prevented from completing it on account of the prevailing sickness in the neighborhood, which had been occasioned by the construction of the Schuylkill Canal near the bank of the river.

The act was revived, as if the bridge had been built and completed within the time limited. Subsequently, in 1833, commissioners were ap- pointed to form a stock company for the pur- pose of erecting this bridge " near to Bell's Mill." They were, Anthony Bickel, Wil- liam Eckert, Samuel Ball and William Lash, of Reading, and Abraham Kissinger, Daniel Dep- pen, Michael K. Boyer, Hiram Kalbach and Jacob Conrad, of Bern township. This point was at the mouth of the Tulpehocken Creek. The bridge, as contemplated, was not finished ; but Mr. Bell succeeded in extending a common bridge across the river with movable planks chained to the cross-beams. It was in use till the great freshet of 1850, when it was swept away, leaving only the abutments to indicate its existence.

" KISSINGER'S "-THE FIRST BRIDGE .- The " Harrisburg Bridge" was first suggested and steps towards its erection first taken in 1795; but it was not completed til the lapse of twen- ty-two years. Different enterprises were in- stituted and finished in this time. Among them was a bridge across the river farther north, erected by Ulrich Kissinger in 1810. It would seem that he wasted no time in complet- ing this improvement ; and, by his promptness and energy, he became the builder and owner of the first bridge which spanned the river in the county.

Ulrich Kissinger was authorized by act passed February 12, 1810, "to erect a toll- bridge over the Schuylkill River at his mill where the road from Reading to Sunbury through Bern township crosses the river." This was at the place where the " Kissinger Bridge " is now situated, over a mile ahove the " Harrisburg Bridge." The bridge was then built of chains in two spans. Its length was about three hundred feet. It took its name after the projector and owner, and it has been since known by this name. About 1830 this " chain bridge " was removed and a wooden bridge, with roof and sides, substituted. This was swept away by the freshet of 1850. A new bridge, of same style, with one span, two hundred feet long, was built in 1851. This is still standing. It is a private toll-bridge.

438

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

LEISS' BRIDGE. - In 1833 David Bright, David Gehr, John Stauch and Henry Hahn, of Reading ; Adam Leiss, of Alsace township; aud Jacob Ebling, Jacob Kline, William Hain and Philip Fox, of Bern township, were ap- pointed to form a stock company for the pur- pose of erecting a bridge over the Schuylkill, near Leiss' mill. The necessary stock was raised, and a covered wooden bridge was erected, within a year, at the place designated, and it has been successfully maintained as a private toll-bridge from that time till now. It is situated about five miles above Reading.

STOUDT'S FERRY BRIDGE .- The following commissioners-Jacob Stoudt, Samuel Moser, Jacob Leinbach, Abraham Koenig, Daniel Aulenbach, John Koenig, Abraham Rieser, Abraham B. Tobias, George Maurer, George Medler, Reuben Herbine, Abraham Herbine, John Zacharias, John Zacharias, Jr., Jonathan Koenig, Jonas Shalter, Samuel Mengle, George Shalter, George Fox, William Dunkle, Jacob Kalbach, Adam W. Kaufman, Dr. D. L. Beaver, Peres Hehn, Jacob S. Ebling, Jacob Ahrens, Dr. J. H. Spatz and Jonathan Bittner -were appointed, by an act passed in 1850, for the purpose of erecting a toll-bridge across the Schuylkill, at the place where there was, and had been for many years, a ferry, known as Stoudt's Ferry. The bridge was to be begun in two years and finished in five years ; but, it not having been erected in the time lim ited, a second act was passed in 1855. The necessary stock was subscribed, and the bridge company was formed in the latter part of 1856, when operations for the construc- tion of a covered wooden bridge were begun. The bridge was finished in July, 1857. It lias been maintained since as a toll-bridge. A ferry had been in use here for thirty years to convey boat-teams from the one side of the river to the other.

ALTHOUSE'S BRIDGE .- In 1834 John Alt- house, Adam Reber, Benjamin Parvin, Jacob S. Ebling, John Ginger, of Maiden-creek township, and Abraham Reeser, Jacob Orange, Jacob Kauffman and John Potteiger, of Bern town- ship, were appointed commissioners to form a bridge company and erect a bridge across the

Schuylkill, at or near Althouse's, about eleven miles above Reading (now Leesport). The bridge was erected in 1835. From that time till January, 1886, it was continued as a pri- vate toll-bridge, and then, upon proceedings of appraisement, it was taken by the county and declared a free county bridge.

MOHR'S BRIDGE (MOHRSVILLE) .- In 1836 the following commissioners, citizens of Berks County-John Gernand, George Loose, John H. Mohr, Peter Addams, Isaac Addams, Geo. Haag, Jacob Kline, Jacob D. Klein, John Kauffman, Christopher Klein, Jacob Yoder, John Yoder, Philip Schneider, Jolın Snyder, Jacob Philips, Philip Kline, Daniel Guldin and Valentine Wagner-were appointed to form a stock company for the purpose of erecting a bridge over the Schuylkill, at or near Mohr's tavern. It was constructed in 1837, and main- tained as a private toll-bridge till 1886, when it was appropriated by the county and set apart as a free county bridge.

WINDSOR HAVEN BRIDGE (SHOEMAKERS- VILLE) .- In 1842 James Reber and Joshua Reber were authorized to construct a toll- bridge over the Schuylkill, at or near Windsor Haven. Subsequently, in 1849, commissioners were appointed to form a stock company for this purpose. They were Benjamin Seidel, John Kirshner, Solomon Seidel, William Ma- dare, Samuel Hoffman, David Moll, Daniel Unger, Charles Egolf, John Shappel, John Heckman, Solomon H. Lesher, Jacob Boyer, Isaac Deturk, Elijah Weidman, George K. Haag, Samuel Stepp, William Merwine, Daniel Christ, Joseph Seidel, David Keim, John Schlappig, Samuel Keim, Benneville Unger.

The bridge was erected in 1862, and main- tained by this company as a private toll-bridge till 1886, when it was taken by the county and declared a free bridge.

BIRDSBORO' BRIDGE .- A covered wooden bridge was erected across the Schuylkill at Birdsboro' during the years 1844-45. The near- est bridge to this point across the Schuylkill was at Douglassville, three miles down the river, and at Poplar Neck, six miles up the river. A company was incorporated for this purpose by act of Assembly passed March 16, 1844, and

439

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

therein the following commissioners were named for its organization and management : Levi B. Smith, James Everhart, David Smith, Jeremiah B. Kerns, Isaac Christman, Jacob Pyle, Ed- ward Brooke. This bridge has been since main- tained as a private toll-bridge.

MONOCACY BRIDGE .- In 1866 the Monoc- asy Bridge Company was incorporated to erect a bridge across the Schuylkill, near Monocacy Furnace, at the village of Mount Airy, and the following commissioners were appointed to raise the necessary subscriptions of stock and organ- ize said company : Benjamin B. Thomas, Chas. M. Clingan, Charles F. Norton, Thomas T. Iaeger, Michael Lynch, J. F. Gulden, Hiram Ludwig, Jeremiah Weaver, Morris Hacker.

The company succeeded in erecting an iron bridge during the years 1870-71. It has been maintained as a private toll-bridge since.

DOUGLASSVILLE BRIDGE .- In 1832 a bridge was authorized to be erected over the Schuylkill River, between the "Black Horse" and " White Horse" taverns, in Amity township, and for this purpose a company was incorporated and six commissioners-prominent and influential citizens of the county-were appointed,-George Douglass, Frederick Linderman, Clement Brook, John P. Rutter, Jacob S. Spang and John Ber- tolet. Sufficient stock was taken and a covered wooden bridge was erected shortly afterward at the point designated. And this bridge was suc- cessfully maintained as a private toll-bridge till 1885, when it was declared a free county bridge, upon the earnest application of citizens of Amity, Douglass and Union townships for that purpose.

EXETER BRIDGE .- In 1866 a company was incorporated for the purpose of erecting a bridge across the Schuylkill, near Exeter Station, and the following commissioners were appointed for the organization of the company : Henry Thompson, Daniel Reed, William E. Schlemm, Washington S. Kissinger, Reuben B. Seidle, Isaac Moore, Gottlieb Moyer, John Kupf, Si- mon Seyfert, J. P. Althouse, Amos W. Pottei- ger, Martin Dankle, George W. Bruckman.

A bridge was much needed at this point-the nearest bridge across the Schuylkill being at Birdsboro', four miles below, and at Poplar

Neck, several miles above, and the inhabitants suffered much inconvenience without it. Twen- ty years have elapsed, but this bridge remains to be constructed. It was the second bridge company incorporated in the county, and in the same section of territory, which failed to accom- plish its purpose, notwithstanding the improve- ment was a necessary one for that section of the county. A county bridge was applied for at "Medlar's Ford," across the Schuylkill, seven miles above Reading, and an act was passed in 1832, but it was repealed in the following year. The "Exeter Ford" is still used.

RAILROAD BRIDGES .- A number of hand- some and substantial bridges have been erected across the river by the several railroad com- panies operated in the county. They are-

Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, near Tucker- ton-high arch, built of stone.

Lebanon Valley Railroad-within limits of Read- ing, built of iron.

Berks County Railroad (now Schuylkill and Le- high)-three; one at and two below Reading, built of wood.

Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad-five; one above, another at, aud three below Reading, built of iron.

There are now altogether twenty-three bridges which span the river within the limits of the county.

ROADS AND TURNPIKES.

INDIAN PATHS .- There were paths through this section of country long before Reading was laid out. The "Schuylkill Ford " was a central point for the Indians. Nature would . seem to have selected the site for the town rather than the Penns. Accessible water may have iuduced the Penns to select it; but Na- ture-the great index to many things, which so strangely remain hidden from our perception till revealed to us by time and experience- formed the ford that became the terminus of different roads. And naturally the confluence of these roads directed the tendency to formu- late a town. Roads make a town. Its success is dependent upon them. They anteceded the railroad centre as a sure means towards the rapid development of a community.

TULPEHOCKEN ROAD .- The earliest men-

440

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tion of a road through this region of country is the road which was marked out in 1687, from the Delaware at Philadelphia to the Susque- hanna, by way of this ford.1 It was known for many years as the "Tulpehocken road." In 1768 a road was regularly laid out from Reading, to the Susquehanna, at "Fort Augusta," by way of Middletown (now Womelsdorf) and Rehrer's Tavern (now Rehrersburg), over the Blue and Broad Mountains, in pursuance of a petition from a considerable number of inhabitants of Berks County, presented on 30th of January, 1768. The report was presented to the Executive Coun- cil on 19th January, 1769. The roads be- gan "at the east end of Penn Street, in the town of Reading, and extended through the same to the banks of the river Schuylkill, west three hundred and forty six perches; thence south eighty-seven degrees west thirty-three perches across said river ; thence four courses westwardly with a total distance of fourteen hundred and fifty-seven perches to Sinking Spring Town ; thence by fifteen courses, gener- ally westwardly, a total distance of twenty- eight hundred and fourteen perches to Second Street, in Middletown [now Womelsdorf]; thence across the Tulpehocken Creek and by way of John Rice's tavern and Nicholas Kinser's, northwestwardly to Godfried Rehrer's tavern [now Rehrersburg], and thence by way of Henry Derr's house to Fort Henry, and over the Kittanning Mountain, etc., in a north- westwardly course to Fort Augusta." The commissioners appointed to lay out the road were Jonas Seely, John Patton, Frederick Weiser, Benjamin Spycker, Christian Laur, Thomas Jones, Jr., James Scull, Mark Bird, Henry Christ.

Fifty years afterward this road from Read- ing to Middletown, and thence westwardly to and through Dauphin County, became a turn- pike, a company for this purpose having been incorporated in 1805, under the name of " Berks and Dauphin Turnpike Company."

The commissioners from Berks County were Joseph Hiester, Peter Frailey, John Keim, Sr., of Reading, John Huy, George Ege, Conrad Stauch, Christian Lower.

The turnpike was, however, not then begun. The " Harrisburg Bridge" was under a cloud at the time, and possibly threw a " cold wave " over the commissioners. Their ardor was chilled by some means. Ten years afterward the two seemed to move together, and they were completed about the same time. The turnpike was commenced in 1816, just after the bridge was passable, and finished in 1817 ; and it has been maintained successfully till now, a period exceeding seventy years.

The Assembly of the State had anticipated this turnpike by certain proceedings thirty years before, for in the Assembly on Septem- ber 15, 1783, a committee in their report rec- ommended the following resolutions :

"To view the different roads leading from Susque- hanna to Reading and Philadelphia, and point out the most practicable mode of improving and repair- ing the same, and to consider the most probable way of opening a communication between the rivers Susquehanna and Schuylkill, and to form estimates of the expenses to carry the above designs into execution and to report their proceedings with all possible expedition to the next House of Assembly."

And on September 20th the House appointed David Rittenhouse, Thomas Hutchins and Nathan Sellers to carry out the resolutions. I could not find any subsequent proceedings in the matter.

MAIDEN-CREEK ROAD .- A. road was sur- veyed by Samuel Lightfoot in 1745, from Francis Parvin's mill, near the mouth of the Maiden-creek, southwardly to the ford (where Reading now is), in almost a straight line about six miles in length, and confirmed in June, 1745.2 In 1753 it was regularly laid out from "Reading northwardly, and ex- tended to Easton by commissioners from Berks and Northampton Counties, appointed by

1 Penn refers to it in his proposal of 1690 for a second settlement, which was to be made at a point on the Susque- hanna, now Harrisburg.

2 Misc. MSS. on Berks County with Historical Society of Pennsylvania. "Cacoosing" Creek, a branch of Tulpe- hocken, is mentioned on this draft ; also "Flying Hill," three miles below Reading.

441

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

the Executive Council at Philadelphia.1 The commissioners from Berks County were Francis Parvin, James Boone, Jacob Levan, Joseph Penrose, Benjamin Lightfoot, Sebastian Zimmerman.

A turnpike was constructed on this road from Callowhill Street, in the borough, over the " longhill"2 to the mouth of the Maiden- creek, and thence northwardly, by way of Hamburg, "Schuylkill Gap" and "Sharp Mountain Gap," and northwestwardly over Broad Mountain, by way of a point now Ashland, to Sunbury. A company for this purpose was incorporated in 1805 to be called "Centre Turnpike Company." The turnpike was completed before 1812. The commissioners from Berks County were Joseph Hiester and James May, of Reading, and Jacob Toppell, of Hamburg. The turnpike was conducted and tolls were exacted till 1884, when it was abandoned, such a conclusion of a great franchise not resulting till the road was declared a nuisance for want of repairs.

OLEY ROAD .- In September, 1727, a peti- tion was presented to the court at Philadelphia for a road to extend from the " Lutheran Meet- ing House" at the Tulpehocken 3 to the High road at the "Quaker Meeting House,"ª near George Boone's mill in Oley. Eight years af-

1 The petition for this road was presented in Council.on 21st of May, 1753. It was signed by the following prom- inent men of the county, who represented that " the roads now commonly used were not laid out by any authority, either from this Board or from the respective Courts of the said counties [Northampton and Berks], and they are often diverting and obstructed and rendered almost im- passable :"

Conrad Weiser, Thomas Craig, Henry Harding, Jonas Seely, James Read, John Jones, Jasper Scull, Thomas Armstrong, Benj. Lightfoot, Hosea Heyman, Jacob Levan, William Par- sons, Wm. Craig, Hon. Wilson, Peter Haws, Conrad Bower, John Hutton, James Biddle, Richard Rigg, Yost Heinrich, Sesmans Huse, Lewis Gordon, Theobald Baum, Merrick Starr, James Starr, Lyon Nathan, George Beale, Isaac Levan, Peter Weilner, Abraham Crosius, Peter Weiser. - 2 Penna. Arch., 98-99.

" The northern part of this hill is now occupied by the "Charles Evans Cemetery."

" Situate a short distance east of a point now Stouchs- burg.

+ At the township line between Oley (now Exeter) and Amity.

terwards5 the court appointed Mordecai Lin- coln, Marcus Hulings, James Thompson, Peter Robeson, Benjamin Boon, Thomas Potts to lay out this road from the high road eastwardly to the Schuylkill ford. They reported a road at June sessions, 1736, which began at the ford ; thence south 80 degrees east 80 perches; south 75 degrees east 800 perches; south 70 degrees east 420 perches, etc .; onward in almost a direct line eastwardly to a road called the "King's Highway." Its eastern terminus was at a point now Amityville. This was the road to Phila- delphia for many years, till changed by a road6 from a point near the "Black Bear Inn," by way of Bishop's Hill, to a point near Molatton church, now at Douglassville. In 1810 a turn- pike was authorized to be constructed on this road from Reading, by way of " White Horse tavern" and Pottsgrove, to Perkiomen Mills, at Perkiomen Creek. In 1811, commissioners were named, those from Berks County having been George Douglass, Matthew Brooke, John Brower, Conrad Fegar, Lewis Reese.

They immediately commenced its construc- tion and completed it in four years at an average cost of seven thousand dollars per mile.7

The road from the "Old Philadelphia road," near Schwartzwald Church, to the King's High- way (Pleasantville to Amityville) was laid out and confirmed in 1755. The "Oley Turnpike" is constructed on this road from Jacksonwald eastward. The company for this superior, well- kept turnpike was incorporated in 1862. The road extends from " Black Bear Inn " to Pleas- antville, ten miles. The total cost was fifty thousand dollars. The .commissioners appoint- ed to receive subscriptions of stock were Wil- liam Herbst, George S. Yoder, Enoch E. Gries- emer, Peter D. Griesemer, Wellington B. Gries- emer, John Snyder, Amos Ritter.

SCHUYLKILL ROAD .- A road was ordered by the court of Lancaster County in 1750 to be laid out from the Chester County line, in Caer-

5 May sessions, 1735.

6 Supposed about 1790. In "Road-Book" of county records it is called " New Philadelphia road," in 1797.

" The highest point in the entire pike from Perkiomen Creek to Reading is near the seven-mile stone, in Exeter township.

442

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

narvon township, in a northwestwardly direc- tion to Reading. It was surveyed by George Boone, and reported in 1751. This is supposed to be the road from Warwick Furnace, by way of "Plow tavern" and "Green Tree tavern," through Caernarvon, Robeson and Cumru town- ships and along the western bank of the Schuyl- kill, "to the Tulpehocken road opposite Read- ing." It was twelve and a half miles in length.

OTHER ROADS .- "Neversink road," from Reading south wardly to "Flying Hill," in 1753.

" Alsace Church road," from Reading north- wardly through Alsace township, in 1753.

"Lancaster road," from Reading south west- wardly through Cumru township, in 1762.

"Bern road," from Reading north westwardly over the Schuylkill at point now occupied by Kissinger's bridge, through Bern township, in 1772.

" Alsace road," from Reading northeastward- ly through Alsace township into Oley township to a point in the "King's Highway" (supposed to be near Friedensburg, and now called the "Friedensburg road ") in 1776.

Numerous other public roads have been laid out round-about Reading. The prominent high- ways distant from Reading are mentioned in the several sections into which I have divided the county.

MAIDEN-CREEK.

CENTRE TURNPIKE ......

ALSACE CHURCH.

FORD

TULPEHOCKEN.

FERRY

SCHUYLKILL.

FERRY.

NEVERSINK.

OLEY.

ALSACE

RIVER

PLAN OF ROADS TO READING.

The accompanying plan will indicate in a general way how the prominent roads extended

from Reading during its earlier history. And these have continued to be the great roads for travel till now.

In 1822 the State held subscriptions of stock in the three turnpike companies, as follows :

Berks and Dauphin $29,000 (individual subscrip- tion $63,905); Centre; $80,000 (individual subscrip- tion $62,000); Perkiomen, $53,000 (individual- sub- scription $133,000). Length reported: 1, 34 miles ; 2, 75 miles ; 3, 282 miles.

STAGES.

FIRST STAGES .- The first public conveyance at Reading was a two-horse coach. It was in- stituted by Martin Hausman in 17891 and traveled weekly between Reading and Philadel- phia for the transportation of passengers and letters. The distance was about fifty-one miles, and the passage was made in two days. The fare was two dollars, and letter carriage three pence. During this year he transferred the es- tablished business to Alexander Eisenbeis. After operating it two years, Eisenbeis sold it to Wil- liam Coleman, and from this time onward, for nearly seventy years, without intermission, the Coleman family were prominent throughout Eastern Pennsylvania for their connection with this great enterprise.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 77

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418