Middleport Borough Hall is located at 22 St Clair Street, Middleport PA 17953.
Phone: 570‑277‑0626.
Beginnings [1]
Named for its position midway between Pottsville and Tamaqua on the Schuylkill Canal, was founded in 1821. Middleport lies in a heavily wooded valley, its two intersecting streets lined with poverty-haunted shacks, for the colliery that was its chief support ceased operations in 1932.
Adam Stahl [2] is said to have been the first settler at Middleport. Members of his family were prominent landowners there for many years. In 1821 Jacob Stahl sold the burying-ground to the Lutheran and the Presbyterian congregations, which were represented in the transactions by John Settzer and Andrew D. Long.In 1828 Jacob Huntzinger bought a tract of land, including that portion of Middleport north of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad. Soon a man named Rausch became Huntzinger's partner. Prior to 1830 the land was laid out in village lots, which were offered for sale. The balance of the territory within the borough limits, and lying south of the railroad, was included in the Da Costa tract.
Jacob Huntzinger was the pioneer business man in the borough. He opened a store there in the spring or summer of 1829. The second store was that of Ferguson&Jones, established in the later part of May, 1830. In March, 1830, there were only two dwellings in the settlement. Evidence of the success of Mr. Huntzinger's enterprise is apparent in the fact that June 1st following the number of dwellings had increased to eight. One of these was a tavern which had been opened about a year, and was kept by George Kershner. A grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a blacksmith's shop were in operation. The railroad, and the state roads from Pottsville to Mauch Chunk and from Orwigsburg north, passing through the village, made it prominent on lines of local travel, and the activity in the coal trade in the valley after the completions of the railroad brought with it a steady and healthy growth to Middleport. In 1845 the population of the miners, and mechan- ics, and there were then three stores and two taverns.
The first meeting of the borough council of Middleport was held May 2nd, 1859. The first burgess was Charles Bensinger, and Francis W. Bechtel was the first borough clerk. Joseph Eustace, and John C. Feedtrappe were the first councilmen.
The succeeding burgesses have been Joseph Miller, George Medlar, David B. Shafer, George Hinly, Thomas Jennings, William Wall, William Herman, Richard Winlack, William Basler, and C. Frank Horn, the present incumbent.Nearby Towns: New Philadelphia Boro • Orwigsburg Boro • West Brunswick Twp •