Near Pottsville in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Firth Dock (1828-1871)

Photographed by PaulwC3, August 3, 2013

1. Firth Dock (1828-1871) Marker

Inscription. This anthracite coal transportation facility helped fuel America's Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. It was vital to the shipment of up to one-half million tons of coal annually along the Schuylkill Canal to Philadelphia and throughout the region. Also known as Palo Alto Loading Dock, it was built by the Schuylkill Navigation Company on land held by stockholder and Philadelphia merchant Thomas Firth.

Erected 1999 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list.

Location. 40° 41.438′ N, 76° 10.252′ W. Marker is near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in Schuylkill County. It is on Weigland Boulevard (U.S. 209) 0.8 miles north of Anderson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pottsville PA 17901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region.

It is

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also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of Port Carbon (approx. 0.4 miles away); Schuylkill Canal (approx. 0.4 miles away); Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Anthracite Region Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); American House - C.F. Jackson (approx. 1.3 miles away); Jerry's Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pottsville.

Also see . . . History of the Schuylkill Navigation System. The system was most prosperous between 1835 and 1841 although its record tonnage, nearly two million tons, occurred in 1859.
Photographed by PaulwC3, August 3, 2013

2. Wide view of the Firth Dock (1828-1871) Marker
During the second half of the 19th century the rise of the railroad, floods, droughts, and a miners' strike contributed to the downfall of the system. (Submitted on September 14, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,038 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 14, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the ruins of the canal and Firth Dock at the northern terminus of the canal • Can you help?