Pottsgrove Manor, Pottstown

Pottsgrove Manor isn't a hike unless you park far from the site, but its worth a visit. The home of John Potts, iron magnate and one of the wealthiest men in the colonies, was built in 1752. At that time he owned thousands of acres of land along the Schuylkill River. That land is now Upper, Lower, and West Pottsgrove Townships, while the small town that formed around the mansion house was called "Potts' town" and eventually Pottstown. John Potts probably never expected his estate to grow into a city of 22 thousand people, and his land to shrivel to a few acres. But that's what happened, and why a historic site is down the street from a gas station and facing a Comfort Inn.

The property is now managed by Montgomery County, and there are regular tours and events. Two I've attended included the Christmas tours complete with carolers and candlelight, and the May festivals with dancing on the green and a Maypole. Pottsgrove Manor is one turn off Route 100 as you cross the river into Pottstown. For hikers and cyclists, its a short distance from Riverfront Park and the Schuylkill River Trail.