One day in Pottsville, PA: Why this hidden gem should top your summer road trip list

Editor’s note: This is the second “North, South, Centre” story highlighting road trips from central Pennsylvania. Where should we explore next? Email us at cdtnewstips@centredaily.com.

When thinking of historic locations in Pennsylvania, the first places that come to mind are often Gettysburg or Philadelphia. But for a more unconventional historical experience, central Pennsylvanians should look no further than Pottsville.

Pottsville, Pennsylvania, is home to the original Yuengling Brewery, the oldest in the nation. Established in 1829 by German immigrant David Gottlieb Yuengling, the brewery was originally called the Eagle Brewery, located on Centre Street. In 1831, the original location burned down and relocated to Mahantongo Street, where it still stands today, according to Yuengling’s website.

The business has stayed in the family for its nearly 200-year history, with Dick Yuengling serving as the fifth generation company’s president.

Free tours of the brewery are available Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., lasting approximately one hour. The tours are for all ages but those wanting to participate in a tasting afterward must have valid ID.

Masks are currently required during the tour and sneakers are recommended, according to the brewery’s website. The brewery tour is not accessible to wheelchair users or those with restricted mobility, but visitors can still sample beers and visit the gift shop.

Groups of more than 15 should call ahead to reserve space while groups of 25 or more can call to schedule a private tour.

What else should you know about Pottsville?

Visitors to Pottsville can also step back into the past at Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum. Owners Jerry and Janet Enders transformed an old car dealership into a living time capsule for all things 1950s and ‘60s. The museum has been open since 1994 and features cars, a jukebox, games and more than 20,000 vintage items, according to the website. It even boasts a reproduction of a vintage drive-in movie theater.

Admission is $10 a person and is open from noon-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

The collection spans two levels and visitors are suggested to start up top and work their way down in the summer to avoid the heat. There is no elevator, making rooms on the upper level inaccessible to wheelchair users or those with mobility restrictions.

Pottsville is also home to the National Football League’s longest-running sports curse, dating back to the 1925 championship game between the Pottsville Maroons and Chicago Cardinals (now known as the Arizona Cardinals). The Maroons beat the Cardinals 21-7 but were suspended by NFL Commissioner Joseph Carr for playing an exhibition game afterward in Philadelphia, according to an ESPN article about the curse.

The Arizona Cardinals hold the title for the longest championship drought, winning only once in 1947 since the 1925 controversy. Some fans attribute the team’s struggles to a curse from the Pottsville team. Although the Pottsville Maroons dissolved after moving to Boston in 1928, their legacy lives on anytime the Arizona Cardinals play.

How to get there: Routes through Interstate 80, U.S. Route 322 or state Route 45 will get you to Pottsville in just about 2 1/2 hours.

Places to eat: Wheel Restaurant, Roma Pizzeria, The Crimson House

Other places to visit: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine

Who’s it for: Great for families, especially those interested in local brews and history. TripAdvisor reviews also suggest Jerry’s Cars & Collectibles for those who grew up in the 1950s and ‘60s.

This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 10:34 AM.