Minersville

Minersville is a small borough located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The town was established in the early 19th century and owes its name to the numerous coal mines that were present in the area. The discovery of coal reserves in the area during the 1820s led to the rapid growth of Minersville. As coal mining operations expanded, the town became a hub for miners and their families. The coal industry brought economic prosperity to the region and attracted immigrants from various European countries, including Ireland, Poland, and Lithuania, who sought employment in the mines. 


Although the coal industry no longer dominates the town's economy, remnants of its mining past can still be seen in the form of old mine buildings and mining-related artifacts. Minersville's residents are proud of their coal region heritage and work to preserve the town's rich history and culture. 


For photo credits, scroll down or click READ MORE.




Read More

Real Estate Statistics

Average Price $153K
Lowest Price $0
Highest Price $650K
Total Listings 23
Avg. Days On Market 92
Avg. Price/SQFT $68

Property Types (active listings)

Search Minersville, PA Real Estate Listings

Sort by:

     


More About Minersville


Minersville's residents are proud of their coal region heritage and work to preserve the town's rich history and culture. The Minersville Area Historical Society organizes monthly meetings and regular walk-abouts around the town. Minersville's Spirit Day is a well attended annual event supported by many. The Historical Society is located at 100-102 S. Third Street in Minersville.


Early Settlement: The region around Minersville was inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Lenape (Delaware) people, before the arrival of European settlers. The land was part of the Walking Purchase of 1737, where the British acquired Native American lands.

Coal Mining Era: The discovery of coal reserves in the area during the 1820s led to the rapid growth of Minersville. As coal mining operations expanded, the town became a hub for miners and their families. The coal industry brought economic prosperity to the region and attracted immigrants from various European countries, including Ireland, Poland, and Lithuania, who sought employment in the mines.

Minersville Boro was officially incorporated on February 12, 1831. It became a significant center for coal transportation and processing, with the construction of canals and railroads facilitating the movement of coal from the mines to the markets.

During the late 19th century, the notorious secret organization known as the Molly Maguires was active in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, including Minersville. The Molly Maguires were a group of Irish-American miners who used violence and intimidation to fight against the harsh working conditions imposed by the coal companies. The conflict between the Molly Maguires and the coal operators eventually led to a series of trials and executions, which marked the decline of the organization.

From The Legend of the Molly Maguires: "Many of the Irish immigrants who relocated to the Anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania originated from oppressed regions of Ireland where the Molly Maguries fought for human rights. It is believed that the Molly Maguires resurfaced in the Pennsylvania coal region in order to fight for the Irish coal miner’s rights, but no concrete evidence has ever been obtained to confirm their existence. However, most historians have since accepted their existence as fact.

The Molly Maguires was a secret group. Many believe the AOH was their cover or working name, which was recognized by the state as a legitimate organization. Once an Irishman had proven himself in the AOH, he could then be inducted into the Molly Maguires. When the AOH could not make changes through legislation, the Molly Maguires allegedly tried to make changes through force. However, despite the AOH and Molly Maguires fighting hard for better working conditions, little improvement was made."

Industrial Decline: The coal industry in Minersville reached its peak in the early 20th Century, but as the demand for coal declined, so did the town's prosperity. The closure of many mines that began in the 1950s continued for the following decades. The shift to other forms of energy led to significant economic challenges for Minersville. However, some mining operations continued, albeit on a smaller scale, and other industries emerged to diversify the local economy.

Historical Landmarks: Minersville is home to several historical landmarks, including the Minersville Area Historical Society Museum, which showcases the town's history and coal mining heritage. The Minersville Public Library, established in 1902, is another notable institution in the borough.

Today, Minersville is a small community with a population of around 4,300 people (as of 2020) and continues to decline from its peak population in the 1930s of over 9,300 people.

-

Photos on Sunbury Street and Orthodox Church By Shuvaev - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42621440  and By Shuvaev - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42621983 and By Shuvaev - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42669240

Historical map of Minersville courtesy PD-US, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5561005

v

Start searching for your dream home now.

When it comes to convenience, our site is unparalleled. Whether you're in the comfort of your home, or on the go.
Our site works flawlessly on multiple devices so you can find the information you need.

Start Search