Welcome To Blue Mountain Road: My New Hometown, Tilden Township/Hamburg Pennsylvania

In 2012 Tilden Township will celebrate a 125 yr Anniversary

In 1740, the first Amish congregation in America established themselves one mile west of Hamburg, in what is now Tilden Township. Indian raids in the 1750's drove most of these Amish Mennonites from the area. They fled the region, heading south to locations in and around Lancaster County. Indians made frequent raids upon settlements in this vicinity because the gap in the mountain at Port Clinton provided them with an easy approach from the north.

Prior to Tilden Township being organized as a separate district, there was a depot station and store in the vicinity of Lowland Road. It was the first railroad station on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad which ran along the west bank of the Schuylkill River. In addition to the rail lines, West Hamburg and Berne were two important shipping points. In 1870, the first telephone lines ran through the township to the Shartlesville area. The Berne Post Office was established in 1878.

In 1887, Tilden Township was taken from Upper Bern Township and organized as a separate district. The Township is situated west of the Schuylkill River, bordered on the north by Schuylkill County, to the east by Hamburg Borough, to the west by Upper Bern Township and to the south by Centre Township. It was named after Samuel J. Tilden, who was a presidential candidate in 1876. During this era, most of the residents were involved in farming. Some of the other industries in the area included foundries, brick works, two creameries, a wool mill, two gristmills, saw mills, blacksmith and watchmaker's shops and a rolling mill. All the mills were driven by water power.

From 1887 until 1929, the schooling of local children was conducted at seven different one-room school houses located throughout the township.

Our Schools: The Tilden Elementary Center, located on the original site of the Tilden Elementary School at 524 West State Street, Hamburg, opened its doors on August 25, 2008 for 710 elementary students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

My daughter Jen in gray sweat shirt/PTO Mom helping Heritage DayAt School

Hawk Mtn. Sanctuary Volunteer

Tilden Elementary Center consists of a three multi-story classroom wings, library, gymnasium, auditorium, combination cafeteria and auditorium, administration offices and educational support areas. They actually have electronic black boards, no more chalk!

The high school underwent a $21.4 million building project that began in the spring of 2000 and ended the fall of 2002. It added a 30,000-square-foot gymnasium, wrestling and weight rooms, a 250-seat large group instruction room, administration offices, a community and board meeting room, and central air conditioning. The auditorium was completely redone, and other renovations included replacing windows and 300 computers.

Hamburg Schools have a huge athletic program: http://www.hasdhawks.org/athletics.cfm

Hamburg Schools have a dedicated music program: http://www.hasdhawks.org/community.cfm?subpage=786854

Hamburg Schools also have a talented fine arts program: http://www.hasdhawks.org/community.cfm?subpage=856365

The Tilden Township Municipal Building is a 5,000 sq. ft. municipal and police building. Municipal spaces, located on the first floor, include offices, 100-occupant meeting room, receptionist, tax office, fire-rated record storage and a break room. Police spaces, located on the second floor, include receptionist, holding cells, interrogation rooms, offices, squad room, conference room and evidence storage.

Just behind the municipal building is the brand new state of the art Tilden Township Playground.

Cabela's retail division operates overwhelmingly popular stores throughout the U.S. As much wildlife museums and education centers as retail stores, Cabela's showrooms provide a truly unique shopping experience. True destination stores, Cabela's showrooms offer outdoor enthusiasts and their family an educational and entertaining shopping experience. Right across Rt. 61 there is Murphy's Jewelers which is billed as the "Hunting Store For Women".

Some of the restaurants in Tilden Township include, McDonalds, Wendys, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and Cracker Barrel. . There is a restaurant in the Boat and RV Mega Store just across from Cracker Barrel. Next door is the Microtel Hotel/Pappy Ts restaurant/lounge that has live entertainment on Fri. and Sat. On Hex Highway/Old Rt 22 there is the Indian Fort Inn, which sits next to the Extreme Home Makeover home. This bar/restaurant was also remolded by the Extreme Home Makeover crew.

This year marked the opening of the Tilden Ridge a 390,000-square-foot shopping center situated next to Cabelas featuring a Walmart Super Center, Lowes, Logan's Steak House, Red Robin, Pizza Hut, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, JA Chinese Buffet, a hair salon, and several other stores including a pet store.

In downtown Hamburg we have a one auditorium movie theater The Strand, the good ole fashioned Miller's Five and Dime Store, and the Hoffman Lanes Bowling Alley. Hamburg's downtown district with its quaint brick sidewalks, turn of the century vintage gas lamp posts, there is a variety of "Mom and Pop" owned shops. During the Christmas season you will enjoy Christmas music coming from the rooftop over hang of a very interesting antique store while shopping on Fourth Street.

The downtown district is also the home of a Rite Aid Pharmacy, Weiss Kings Pharmacy/Grocery Store, Redner's Warehouse, Louees Pizza, Pizza Como, and Russo's Pizza.

Right off Hex Highway/Old Rt 22 there is a Mennonite family that sell fresh fruit, veggies, and homemade jellies, jams, relish, pies, cakes, cookies, and bread right in their front yard on Thurs. Fri. and Saturdays.

There are several Service Clubs in Hamburg, the Jaycees, Lions, VFW, American Legion, Moose, P.O.A., Fish & Game Assoc., Our Town Assoc., Boy/Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts/Brownies and Free Masons.

On Palm Sunday 2006 my husband Roger and I joined one of the many local churches in Hamburg. We participate in many pot luck supper religious study groups where we share fellowship with several talented and friendly neighbors. Our church has a registered, licensed day care facility, holds Boy/Cub Scout, AA meetings, Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, and several other groups dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of the region.

View from foot bridge on Bartram Trail just off the Hamburg Park

While Hamburg has a lovely park shaded by many trees with an Olympic sized swimming pool, there is also the Schuylkill River Walking Trail/Bartram Section. To get to the southern trail head near Hamburg from Interstate 78, take Route 61 North and turn right onto Jetson Drive, directly across from Cabela's. At the T turn right onto Industrial Drive, and follow this road to the railroad tracks. Make an immediate left onto Kernsville Dam Road and follow straight to the trail head and parking. This is a comment from one of the trail hikers: "My family and I checked out this trail for the first time yesterday. With blue sky, cool temps. and some color still on the trees, we enjoyed a great ride. With fallen leaves, running down the trail with us in the breeze, it was quite magical! We started from the trail head in Hamburg, went out about 6 miles and then back again. We found the trail that we traveled on to be in great condition, smooth, and well marked. We passed a few other bikers and walkers enjoying the trail too. Our only caution about this trail is that it is not one for young children to bike on as the drop off is quite steep in some areas and there are no fences."
http://www.schuylkillriver.org/

Kaercher Creek Park

My daughter and granddaughter fishing

My daughter preparing picnic, they have grills too.

And as if all of that isn't enough we also have the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the Appalachian Trail, and Hamburg's lovely Kaercher Creek Park. We have had many a family outing there; enjoying its beauty, fishing, and picnicking.

Grandkids having fun with new found friends

Grandkids Kaercher Creek Park

I love living here, even in the snow!

All of this and the average estimated 2011 annual real estate tax rate is $2,168-$3,027.00. It is no wonder why I try to encourage my family members in New Jersey to jump ship and come join us in God's Country!

The reality TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and the Home Builders Association of Berks County built a new home for a Tilden Township family. The home was for Trisha Urban, and her 1-year-old daughter, Cora Catherine after her husband Andy died of a heart attack the night Cora was born.

Tilden Township Haunting, Berne, Five Locks, A heavy mist appears across the canal and starts to form in the shape of a young woman. This can be seen on a Midnight drive only when the moon is full, on a semi warm night. Berks County's most famous ghost hunter and author, Charlie Adams: http://www.facebook.com/CharlesJAdamsIII?sk=wall

Watch this video created by the Hometown Association of Hamburg!

http://hamburgpa.org/category/recreation/

What's not to love about my new hometown, Tilden Township/Hamburg, PA????

Other Berks County Attractions:

42 Community Center Drive
Kempton, PA 19529
610-756-6469

BeeTree Trail Farm/Horse Drawn Carriages/Sleighs

http://www.usframecrew.com/berks/index.php

Goggle Works Art Gallery-Reading

Reading Museum/Arboretum/Planetarium

Reading Pagoda

Blue Marsh Lake

Lake Ontelaunee

Antietam Lake

Sovereign Center/Reading

The Daniel Boone Homestead

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

My New Hometown, Tilden Township/Hamburg Pennsylvania

Koziar's Christmas Village

Ozzy's Family Fun Center

Reading Phillies Baseball Club

Reading Royals Ice Hockey

Roadside America

WK&S Railroad

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The Road Less Traveled In Governing