The first inhabitants of Manavon, which would later become the Borough of Phoenixville, were the Lenape American Indians.

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In the late 1600s, not long after Philadelphia had been settled, Charles Pickering, an Englishman who crossed the Atlantic with William Penn, came up the Schuylkill River in search of treasure in Chester County.

 

Thinking he could make a fortune on this finding, he returned to Philadelphia and purchased a land grant from William Penn for several thousand acres.

 

Not long after his venture, Charles Pickering died and his land, which consisted of 5,386 acres known as the Pickering Tract and Mine Hole Tract, was divided between 16 of his friends.

 

The naming of the earliest neighborhoods derived from Pickering, including Charlestown, which originally included present-day Charlestown and Schuylkill Townships, and the Borough of Phoenixville.

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Today, the town of Phoenixville relies less on the manufacturing of nails and rails and more on its artsy, low-key vibe that attracts both visitors craving relaxation with a creative twist and residents looking to put down roots.

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Bridge Street offers a mix of wine-tasting rooms, low-key restaurants and artsy, locally owned shops.

 

Bridge Street is divided in the center of town by Main Street, home to boutique retail and food outlets.

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