Holiday House Tour No. 7, Oldest House in Town

Photos by Evan Brandt

Built in 1803, this property at 245 Walnut St. was the first farmhouse in Pottstown.

It is altogether appropriate that we close out the year with a stop at one of the oldest homes in town, if not necessarily THE oldest.

Located at 245 Walnut St., an 1876 map of the borough owned by the Pottstown Historical society shows this property spanned Walnut Street to Beech Street and North Penn Street on the west of the property, to approximately the middle of Walnut Street on the east.

It was owned, but not necessarily occupied by, Joseph H. Sprang, a Civil War veteran and proprietor of Sprang Brick Yards.

Local historian Mike Snyder on the

first of two Trolley Tours for the Historic

Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 8.

According to Mike Snyder, a local historian who served as the tour guide on the trolley tour, it's important to remember that until about 1830, Pottstown only had about 700 people living here.

It was not until the railroads arrived that Pottstown really took off. So it may seem strange to us today to consider this house in the middle of town was actually a farm house.

"By the 1880s and 1890s, Pottstown had a lot going for it, including two trolley lines, as well as being a stop on the railroad," Snyder said.

He told a fascinating tale about the owners of the property which I did not take notes adequate enough to do justice. You'll just have to come on the tour next year.

The home is now owned by Ron and Mary Williams.

Ron Williams is a former Pottstown School Board member, a veteran and a Native American who founded the annual PowWow on the Mantawny held every year in Memorial Park.

Ron Williams in his kitchen which was an addition to the

home built in 1803.

He said in its original form, the house had just one room. Obviously, it was expanded upon over the years.

Williams said his sister and brother-in-law restored the house, exposed the original beams, and then found another home to renovate.

But Ron and Mary liked the home so much, they bought it and moved right on in and have lived there ever since, dare I say 'happily ever after?'

The main living room at 245 Walnut St. features low ceiling and exposed beams.

The Pottstown trolley stops at 245 Walnut St. during the Pottstown Historic Holiday House Tour. This view clearly shows how the original house has been expanded out the back.

Well, that's all I've got folks.

I didn't take photos during the Trolley Tour because I was listening to Mike and taking notes.

I should remind you all that this tour not only showcases some of what is best about Pottstown, but

also serves as a fundraiser for the Pottstown GoFourth Celebration in Memorial Park in July 4th.

In other words, it helps pay for the fireworks everyone gets to enjoy for free.

And if you like what you saw in these posts, you can probably still ring in the new year with a 2020 calendar featuring 12 of the 15 amazing homes on this year's tour.

Each month features a stylized photo taken by Carol Brightbill, a gifted photographer who works for the Pottstown School District and, I might add, is an alum of The Mercury.

The calendar is also a fundraiser for GoFourth. (I've got mine!)

Or, if you're so inclined, take a moment to go to thegoFourth website and make a direct donation to help keep cool things like this happening in our town.

Speaking of which, head down to Riverfront Park tomorrow for the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge into the icy waters of the Schuylkill.

(You can read all about it here in your local newspaper, The Mercury.)

You won't be disappointed, and you can just watch, I promise.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!