Pottstown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pottstown Historical Society
Historic Pottstown Walking Tour
Since 1936, the Historical Society has dedicated itself to promoting interest in the historic background of Pottstown and to preserving materials which illustrate that history. In 2000, the Historical Society continued its commitment to historic preservation in the community by purchasing for its headquarters the flower shop built in 1884 by Lloyd Keim. The insurance map at the left indicates not only the extensiveness of the property in 1916, but the nature of the various structures on it. As you can see, the property included the Keim residence at 602 High Street and greenhouses and storage buildings at the rear and across the alley.
Oliver Lewis Christman, a well known local landscape architect and antique dealer, purchased the shop from Keim in 1943 and added his very distinctive touch to its facade and to the shop itself. An interesting sidenote: Christman was responsible for introducing his favorite tree, the ginko [sic - gingko] (because of its resistance to air pollution), to Pottstown; planting the first one, which still stands at the sidewalk in front of the shop. For nearly the first 100 years of its existence, the property remained a flower shop.
As Historical Society headquarters, the building houses offices; a library containing documents, books, periodicals, photographs and artifacts; and a meeting room constructed of old barn timbers. Meetings are held regularly and visitors are welcome.
— David R. Kerns
Erected 2002 by Pottstown 250th Anniversary Committee and in memory of Heather Davidheiser Frantz.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 40° 14.663′ N, 75° 38.42′ W. Marker is in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. Marker is on High Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 568 E High Street, Pottstown PA 19464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pottstown War Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); G.A.R. Statue (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bahr Arcade (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Hill School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Philadelphia Steam Engine Fire Co. #1 (approx. half a mile away); The Potts Family Burial Ground (approx. half a mile away); St. Clair Mansion (approx. half a mile away); Site of Old Burial Ground (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pottstown.
Also see . . . Pottstown Historical Society. (Submitted on October 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,086 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.