Phoenixville

Welcome to Phoenixville

Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River. The population is 16,440 as of the 2010 Census. Phoenixville is located at 40°7′51″N 75°31′9″W (40.130819, -75.519061). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it (4.27%) is water. Phoenixville is home of the highest recorded temperature in Pennsylvania, 111 degrees Fahrenheit, set in 1936. Average annual rainfall: 30" Average snowfall: 13" Average temperature in winter: 34° Average temperature in summer: 73°.

History

Originally called Manavon, Phoenixville was settled in 1732 and incorporated as a borough in 1849. In its industrial heyday early in the twentieth century, it was an important manufacturing center and it was the site of great iron and steel mills such as the Phoenix Iron Works, boiler works, silk mill, underwear and hosiery factories, a match factory, and the famous (and now highly collectible) Etruscan majolica pottery. Like so many American towns and cities, Phoenixville owes its growth to its waterways. It is not only situated on the broad Schuylkill River, a historic thoroughfare to Native Americans and early settlers alike, but it is bisected by the fast-flowing French Creek, which was quickly harnessed for water power.

Much of this history was recognized by the creation of the Phoenixville Historic District, the largest National Register of Historic Places site in Chester County. The Black Rock Bridge, Gay Street School, and Schuylkill Navigation Canal, Oakes Reach Section are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Economy

Phoenixville has a diverse local economy that largely includes many local artisans and restaurants. Local hotspots include an Iron Hill Brewery and Molly Maguire's Pub, both located on Bridge Street. Customers Bank, the nation's fourth best earnings performing community bank, according to the American Bankers Association, is headquartered in downtown Phoenixville.

From 2002 to 2010, assessed property values in Phoenixville Borough grew by over 20 percent.

Governance

The borough of Phoenixville is governed by a mayor and by eight council members, two for each of four wards: Middle, East, North, and West. Each ward is further divided into three numbered election precincts. The precincts do not have government representatives.

Phoenixville is in Pennsylvania's 6th federal Congressional District, the 157th State House of Representatives District, and the 19th State Senatorial District.

Notable People

• Terry Gilkyson, Disney composer.
• Creighton Gubanich, former Major League Baseball player with the Boston Red Sox.
• Rich Kraynak, former linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.
• John-Paul Lavoisier, soap opera actor on "One Life to Live".
• Harry A. Longabaugh, Old West outlaw known as "The Sundance Kid".
• Neal Olkewicz, former American Football linebacker.
• Mike Piazza, former catcher and designated hitter in Major League Baseball.
• John Smiley, former MLB pitcher.
• André Thornton, former Major League Baseball player.
• David White, actor.
• William George Wilson, award-winning sports cinematographer.
• Kevin Bacon, actor.
• Galusha Pennypacker, decorated Civil War general.
• Kevin Negandhi, ESPN Analyst.

Courtesy of Wikipedia