A look back: March 7, 1986

Courtroom number one in Pottsville was filled to overflowing yesterday, not to hear the details of a riveting jury trial, but to celebrate the creation 175 years ago of Schuylkill County.

President Judge George Heffner presided. Among the festivities were the rededication of the courthouse clock chimes, which have been silent for decades, that honor having been performed by the president judge.

Gov. Simon Snyder signed the bill creating Schuylkill County on March 18, 1811, according to a prepared text read by scholar-athlete Gary Karnish of Panther Valley High School. The 6,000 inhabitants then were mostly Germans involved in farming, timbering, iron ore mining and forging and other skills.