Berks County was established in 1752 from portions of Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia Counties, but its early settlers had already left their marks on the area. Southeastern Berks County covers a mythical trip between the villages Oley, Englesville, Exeter, Yellow House, Earlville, Amityville, Douglassville, Pine Forge, Little Oley, Greshville, Moreysville, Boyertown, Gabelsville, Shanesville, and Pleasantville. It examines why people settled here and how they lived, worked, and enjoyed themselves 100 years ago. The trip, taken through the medium of vintage postcards, may be traveled today by car.
Patricia Wanger Smith, author of Around Pottstown, is a graduate of Pine Forge Elementary School, Pottstown High School, and Hahnemann University. Her maternal ancestors were from the Oley-Pine Forge area, and she has been an appointed member of the North Coventry Township Historical Commission since its inception.