The
photo to the right is an example of Oley Valley Iron Works, and the
projects they can do for you. Here a large powder coating
consisting of twenty-two sections of the pavilion railing was used
for a custom railing for the borough of Wyomissing.
Oley Valley Iron Works is located in
Shoemakersville, just off of Route 61. The firm offers an
assortment of products ranging from railings to gates and fences to
your own custom designs. The materials offered are steel,
stainless-steel, aluminum, wrought iron and brass. Large and
small contracts, one-of-a-kind jobs are specialized in for both
commercial and residential projects. To view Oley Valley Iron
Works portfolio please visit their website at www.oleyvalleyironworks.com
or give them a call at 610-562-2208 for your free estimate!
Below: The recreation of a
vintage rail depot clock stands proudly at the restored
Shoemakersville train station.
Below: The hub of civic
activity in Shoemakersville is its borough hall.
Below: Built in 1768, this
handsome residence was the home of Shoemakersville's namesake,
Charles and Henry Shoemaker.
THE FACTS:
To be historically accurate, it is likely that Shoemakersville
should technically be Schumachersville, as it is believed that is
the original spelling of the name of its founder, Charles
Shoemaker. Shoemaker was a prominent landowner whose family's
lands stretched across a great area of eastern Pennsylvania.
He was also a civic, social, and political leader on local, state,
and national levels.
In 1768, Shoemaker (Schumacher?) built a
large home at what is now the town that bears his name. Later,
a tavern and a mill were built, and a town was born.
THE FIGURES: In
its one-half of a square mile, Shoemakersville boasts a population
of just under 1500.
THE FUN STUFF:
Anyone "in the know" around Shoemakersville has no problem
contracting the town's name to the familiar SHOEY. People will
think you're "from around here" if you call it by its
nickname.
With one of its first industries, in about
1810, a tannery, Shoemakersville's location along busy road, rail,
and waterways ensured a certain stability. In 1833, it got its
own Post Office, but the town took a while to get itself
together.
Around the Civil War era, a new, or
"upper town" grew north of the original crossroads.
That seemed to cause problems for the railroad, which wasn't sure
where to put its new depot. So, it split the difference and
located between the "upper town" and "lower
town." That, of course, helped solidify little Shoey.
The Schuylkill River at Shoemakersville was
originally crossed at two fords in the area. A bridge built in
1862 had tolls until 1886. Those tolls included 1 cent per
walker, 6 cents for every 20 sheep and 25 cents for a two-horse
carriage.
Another toll facility in town was the
Centre Turnpike, which was built around 1812 and remained a toll
road through 1885. The main Reading-Pottsville road brought
many stagecoaches through and to Shoemakersville.
One of the most devastating trainwrecks in
Berks County's history took place at Shoemakersville on September
19, 1890, when a wreck along the river caused the deaths of 23
passengers.
Thanks to WEEU's Charles J. Adams III for help
in compiling this material.
34 North Fourth Street, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: 610-376-7335 Fax: 610-376-7756
E-mail: weeu@weeu.com
The
photo to the right is an example of Oley Valley Iron Works, and the
projects they can do for you. Here a large powder coating
consisting of twenty-two sections of the pavilion railing was used
for a custom railing for the borough of Wyomissing.
