The Story of Phoenixville, the Historic Town Along the Schuylkill

Originally called Manavon, Phoenixville was settled in 1732. The site became a bustling place of commerce due to its location near two waterways (the Schuylkill River and French Creek) which provided both transportation and power to a developing region. Like many industrial cities across America, the borough’s vitality has fluctuated as area businesses have come and gone over the years.

During the Civil War, the company was hired by the U.S. government to produce Griffen guns. They fired the first cannon shot at the Battle of Gettysburg, helping the Union to triumph. Captain C.S. Carmack recruited the local 88^th Pennsylvania Volunteers to fight in this great conflict. He was the maternal grandfather of Chris Sanderson, who grew up near Phoenixville and later became known as the “village historian” of Chadds Ford, a museum dedicated there in his honor. Another famous local personality is Samuel Pennypacker, the governor of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907.

Though the name came from a steel company, Phoenixville had many other bustling businesses, including a boiler works, silk mill, match factory and the pottery-making facilities of Griffen, Smith and Hill. They produced the distinctive and now prized Etruscan Majolica pottery in the late 1800’s until fire and financial setbacks closed the plant. The Historical Society of Phoenixville- housed in an English Gothic stone building from 1873 – has an extensive collection of this beautiful pottery. The Society also provides several wonderful exhibits highlighting the history of the area.

Sometimes a tragedy inspires a rebirth. Harry Brownback (formerly on the Board of Griffin, Smith and Hill) decided to pursue his dream and construct a theatre after the pottery plant closed down. Built at a cost of $30,000, the Colonial Opera House produced its first stage show in 1903. In 1915, D.W. Griffith’s epic “The Birth of a Nation” was shown there; silent film star Mary Pickford stopped by. The great Houdini performed at the theatre in 1917 and in 1928 the very first ‘talkie’- “The Jazz Singer” was presented. A young Steve McQueen appeared in a low-budget film called “The Blob” in 1958, shot in and around Phoenixville, including a scene with people rushing out of the Colonial Theatre to escape the clutches of an amorphous, growing monster. The movie became a cult hit. Since the year 2000, Phoenixville has held its popular annual “Blobfest” with live music, arts and craft shows, an antique car display and other exhibits.

A recent trend toward downtown restoration has allowed Phoenixville to enjoy a bit of a revival – and part of it is due to a science fiction movie from the 1950’s. The Colonial Theatre sponsors several events including concerts and a themed movie series. The local dining scene is vibrant, with places like the Columbia Bar and Grille, Iron Hill Brewery, Molly Maguire’s and Majolica offering fine food and cocktails. If you’re driving around northeastern Chester County, turn onto Bridge Street, stop and take a walk around. You’ll quickly see why this little town holds a unique place in our heritage.

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. His 11 books focus mostly on the history of the Chester County/mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is “Heritage of the Brandywine Valley”, showcasing the fascinating people, places and events of this region over more than 300 years. His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale.com and also on www.Amazon.com. Gene can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].