History of Schuylkill County (chapter 3: Centre Turnpike)

Prior to 1812 Schuylkill County’s transportation routes consisted of a few isolated Indian trails and bridle paths. The Centre Turnpike, opened in 1812, followed a large portion of the old King’s Highway, originally intended to be the Northwest Passage to Knoebel’s Grove; this new turnpike however veered to the west to join the cities of Reading and Sunbury. Economically this thoroughfare was significant for the county, giving many citizens government jobs at the various toll booths that dotted the highway. By 1815 17% of the county’s male population had employment as toll booth attendants. This began the two hundred year old love affair between the citizenry and government jobs.
With so many travelers on the turnpike, this also created an opportunity for many restaurateurs to open establishments and offer the wayfarers the cuisine common in their European mother countries.
One major innovation of the eateries was “drive-through” service which allowed customers on horseback or stagecoach to order and pick up food without stepping foot inside.
Forensic archeologists have recently determined that the most popular take-outs of these early settlers included chow chow, fluffernutter sandwiches, gruel and porter ale – all still popular today. The most popular meals eaten inside at a table included leek soup, collops, pigeon breasts, onion rings, porter ale and sweet and sour possum (also still popular today at Renninger’s Market).
Many of these eateries catered to children, featuring primitive “Happy Meals” of a boiled pig’s stomach with a small toy, such as a pocketknife, hidden inside. To keep these active children content while the adults finished off their meal with tobacco and a pitcher of ale, indoor “playgrounds” were available, consisting of small collieries where coal could be broken by children into smaller pieces with their grubby little fingers. Stephen Girard and others adopted this practice on a larger scale in the booming coal industry, creating unheard of financial opportunities for children which allowed them to buy more “Happy Meals.”
Billboard advertising appeared along the highway in the 18th century. The first billboard announced the distance to “Spa Centre Turnpike” in North Manheim Township. The ones that followed advertised nearby taverns. In the mid-1820s Pottsville’s downtown was not as busy as it is today. There were no enticing tattoo parlors and no ‘cash for trash’ businesses. ....none.... zippo.... In those early days, tattooing was done in the privacy of one’s own stable, keeping much of the population off the streets. Pottsville, however, had several watering holes that attracted those from near and far.

The most famous pub was The White Horse Tavern, at the corner of Mahantongo and Centre Streets. John Pott purchased the premises in 1818 and every weekend featured the legendary house bands Anthro Sylicosis and the original Stanky and the Coalminers. It was here that Mrs. Pott uttered that classic phrase, “This ain’t no disco.” Trendy scenesters soon flocked to the White Horse to “see and be seen.” Boasting a nice, loungey atmosphere that easily transmuted into a wild and infectious party, the Tavern offered a welcoming atmosphere. It soon became a hip testament to Pottsville featuring a long list of chic and potent whiskey concoctions, quality tap beers, pretty women, beer pong tables, and some darn good bar food such as pickled eggs, house pizzas, calzones, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash. Amidst an array of sophisticated mixed drinks, reverberating lounge music, and the eclectic and attractive clientele, one sort of faded back at first, before awakening by the increasingly exhilarating action on the dance floor. On weekends the party often became excessive and overwhelming to the fainter patrons, but it was never crass or vulgar. Thursdays could be chill as Thursday was karaoke night.

So much for the history of the Centre Turnpike.