Heidelberg Township

This township is bounded on the north by Carbon County, east by Washington Township, south by Lowhill township, west by Lynn township. Population in 1900 was 1411. It was organized as a township in 1752, it included at first Lynn and Washington township, and lies in the northern part of the County, The surface is hilly and the Blue Mountains cross the northern part of the township, Bake Oven Knob is situated in the northwestern part, the soil is white gravel and is, however, capable of producing good crops, if well cultivated. The principal streams that drain the township, are the Jordan and Trout creek with a number of smaller streams, and furnish abundant waterpower for mills and manufactories.

Alle-mangel, the whole region embraced in Heidelberg and Lynn townships to Albany township, Berks county, known by that name, meaning wanting everything, namely, no roads, no place of defense against the Indians. The settlers were of German descent and were kept constantly in alarm, during the Indian Wars in the colonies in 1755-56, the township was nearly deserted by the settlers, who fled to Bethlehem and other places for refuge from the savages who had threatened their lives and properties, The next alarm was when the settlers heard of the Whitehall massacres in 1763.

The settlers belonged to the Lutheran and Reformed denominations, and churches were founded all over the township and were well attended. They strictly adhered to their faith and tried their utmost to bring their children up in the precepts of Christianity. They were honest to the core; as the following illustration will show; When a man loaned $500 or $1,000 from his neighbor the lender did not even take a note but merely marked down the amount of the money and the time opposite. When the amount or interest, was paid, it was marked with a piece of chalk against the house joists or on the large house clock.

When the money with interest was due it was always forthcoming and there was hardly a failure. It was considered a crime if one failed to fulfill his agreement. They held to the old maxim "His word as good as his note."

The oldest church in this township is Heidelberg church, organized in1740 and is one mile east of Saegersville nearly in the center of the township. Rev. J. F. Schertlein was the first Lutheran pastor and Rev. P. J. Michael was the first Reformed minister.

The settlers of this township were nearly free from incursions, scarcely a murder was committed while nearly all of the surrounding settlements were destroyed, Fathers Longnour, Kemmerer and others went to Gnadenhutten and assisted in burying the dead after the massacre there, The reason that the settlers were so free front Indian troubles was due to the Providence of God and the fact that no Indian village stood within the limits of the township. The nearest one was in Lynn Township on the other side of the Blue Mountains and south of the Blue Mountains on the other aide of the Lehigh River. An Indian path led in a straight line from Lehigh Gap through Saegersville. The first public road laid out was in 1770, and during the later years many good roads were made in this township, The highest point in the township is Bake Oven Knob on the top of the Blue Mountains, 1560 feet above the sea level, it being the center of the county line of Lehigh and Carbon counties, and it has been for years a signal station in the United States Coast Survey. The summit of the knob affords a fine view of the surrounding country. Bear Rock, two miles west of the Bake Oven Knob, is another point 1,500 feet above the sea level. There are three rocks standing in a row connected by smaller ones piled on top of each other; it is the dividing line between Lehigh, Carbon and Schuylkill counties, a fine view can be had from its summit, looking southwest, the city of Reading can be seen, by the naked eye, the smoke as it pours forth from the stacks of the numerous furnaces, factories, mills, etc. Looking south over our county, Allentown and the beautiful Kittatinny valley dotted with thriving towns and villages can be distinctly seen by the naked eye at least twenty miles distant, Viewing Carbon county, Switchback, Delaware Water Gap, etc., are seen distinctly. Tourists proclaim the finest scenery they have ever viewed with the exception of the Alps. The scenery that one can view from the Bear Rock presents the grandest view that can be met with anywhere. In 1832, a rifle factory was established by Philip Hess, Jr., one mile west of Balliett's furnace, on a road leading from the road from Saegersville to Lehighton across the mountains. The road is still known as the factory road. The factory was in successful operation for a 1ong time and was later on used as a distillery. The first grist mill was erected in 1808 by John J. Snyder, on Jordan creek later known as Kressly mill. The Schuylkill and Lehigh R. R. passes through the township, giving an outlet to the farmers for their products. The schools compare favorably with those of the other townships in the County, and are steadily advancing; the teachers are progressive and the Board of Directors is energetic, doing the best for the schools under their supervision.

VlLLAGES-Saegersville, a post village situated six miles west of Slatington, contains a carriage factory, hotel, one store, post office which was established in 1829, daily mail. It was founded in 1760 and is a popular stopping place for city folks who leave the confines and tumults of our large eastern cities during the sultry summer months. Population 460. Deibertsville is situated two miles east of Saegersville, contains a post office and a number of dwellings, was founded in 1842, population in 1900 was 60. Germansville, one mile west of Saegersville, contains a store, hotel, machine shop, brick kilns, post office, is on the Schuylkill and Lehigh R.R. Founded in 1742 by Adam German, and the present population is about 320. Pleasant Corner is one and one-fourth miles southwest of Saegersville, contains a store, hotel, grist mill. Founded 1744 by John Rice and population in 1900 was 300.