| Hamburg maps from: Mapquest , Google Map , Yahoo  Hamburg Pennsylvania, once known as Kaercher Stadt or Kaerchertown after its founder Martin Kaercher, Jr. in 1787, is the northernmost town in Berks County. In 1779 Martin Kaercher, Jr. laid out building lots using a a 250-acre plot of land he received from his father. The town of Hamburg Pennsylvania is nestled between the southern slope of Blue Mountain and is surrounded by the Schuylkill river and acres of beautiful and fertile farmland.
The name "Hamburgh" was adopted from the town of Hamburg, Germany since many of Hamburg’s first inhabitants were Germanic, a dialect that still lingers here today. Although the area has become a melting pot of nationalities, the influence of these early, hearty and industrious people can be seen everywhere, complete with an ever-present small-town pride and friendliness. Hamburg in July 1, 1798 became the second postal designation in Berks County (following Reading, PA in 1792). Hamburg PA began to grow following the construction of the Centre Turnpike in 1812 from Reading to Pottsville, PA. (both towns approximately 15 miles from Hamburg). And with the opening of the Schuylkill Canal in 1820 and the railroad which came soon after, Hamburg Pennsylvania was growing into a booming town of its own. Hamburg grew out of the proud traditions and heritage of the Northern Berks area (the heart of Berks County’s Pennsylvania German people), along with their delicious ethnic foods and fabulous art and cultural samplings. Hamburg Borough, was organized in 1837, and has been called, "without a doubt one of the finest towns - architectually - to be found anywhere in the state. Hamburg experienced a boom during a period in architecture when ornamentation was popular. Victorian style in the homes and businesses in the town of Hamburg reflected the pride and attention to detail of its inhabitants no matter what the cost. Look down north 4th Street, South 3rd Street or North 5th Street and you'll find an abundance of ornate, Victorian cornices, gingerbread moldings, and brickwork - a tangible history of days gone by. Today, Hamburg is a community in the middle of a revitalization. Various organizations from the Our Town Foundation, Hamburg Area Historical Society, Hamburg Lions Club, The Greater Hamburg Business Association, Hamburg Jaycees, The Chamber and numerous others have combined their interests in helping Hamburg to become, once again, the great town it was and will be . These efforts have earned Hamburg several distinctions of prestige such as The Main Street Program, Designation as a Pennsylvania Blueprint Community and several grants for facade improvements, streetscape beautification and numerous individual grants. What makes Hamburg great is that everything is local. You can walk to a local restaurant, the post office, the supermarket, the newly-restored Strand Movie Theater, the video store, the park, various nature trails, a plethora of local churches, convenient stores, hair salons, music stores, clothing stores, karate, dance studios, the local civic center, sandwich shops, banks, shoe stores, a local sports bar and entertainment, diners and so much more. If you're looking for additional services you can shop at the only Cabelas store on the east coast with over 6 million visitors a year (one of the largest attractions in all of Pennsylvania). With the recent construction of Cabelas, numerous businesses have moved into the area such as Redners, Peebles, Arbys, Dunkin Dounuts/Baskin Robbins, Boat & RV, GNC, Murphys Jewelers, the newly rennovated American Hotel Restaurant and numerous more are slated to move in just outside of town. Hamburg is expected to be impacted greatly with additional job opportunities and economically by the growing number of visitors seeing what Hamburg is all about. You can't stop the buzz about this town. Things are only getting better every year. Kaerchertown, Churchtown, Kirchetown, Homber, Hamburgh or Hamburg… the history of any community is determined not by its name of location, but by the character of its people. Make a visit to Hamburg today and witness for yourself a community with deep historical and cultural roots looking to a great future. |
