Rockland Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Rockland Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,778 at the 2010 census.

Not to be confused with Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.
Rockland Township
Township
Rockland Township
Location of Rockland Township in Pennsylvania
Rockland Township
Rockland Township (the United States)
Coordinates: 40°26′33″N 75°45′09″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyBerks
Area
 • Total17.02 sq mi (44.08 km2)
 • Land16.95 sq mi (43.91 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2)
Elevation
889 ft (271 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,778
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
3,793
 • Density223.74/sq mi (86.38/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
19522, 19539
Area code(s)610

History

Rockland Township was organized in 1758. Prior to that it was a part of Oley. It took its name from the numerous rocks it contains. Boulders thirty feet long, fifteen feet wide and fifteen feet high may be seen. Certain collections of rocks are known as Shott's Head and Guinther's Head. Near the latter there is a succession of rocks one hundred twenty feet long. This is the watershed of the township and from this point the water is drained south, east and west.[3]

The early settlers were Germans, who migrated northward from Oley. In 1842 a part of this township was taken and annexed to Pike.[3]

Sacony and Beaver Creeks have for many years turned mills of various kinds. Grim's mill on the Sacony has been remodeled recently and now does the grinding by an up-to-date process. Rohrbach's mill was destroyed by fire some time ago, and has not been rebuilt. Roth's mill is near Dryville and Keller's in the western part of the township.[3]

On the Sacony was also located the "Sally Ann" charcoal furnace. It was built in 1811, and was operated until 1879. The Rockland Forges were operated for more than seventy years. General Daniel Udree operated one with Hessians and Redemptioners.[3]

On Beaver Creek was manufactured paper and birch oil. A kind of clay has been found from which chinaware is made. A pottery was also operated in the vicinity. A granite, very much like Vermont granite, is found near New Jerusalem. There is a marble saw mill on the Sacony near Grim's mill, where large blocks of marble are sawed into desirable sizes. It has been in operation since 1864. None of the early mines are now in operation.[3]

The Sally Ann Furnace Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 17.1 square miles (44.2 km²), all of it land. It is drained by the Sacony Creek and the Manatawny Creek into the Schuylkill River and most of it is located in the South Mountains. Its villages include Boyers Junction, Dryville, New Jerusalem, and Sally Ann.

Adjacent municipalities

Climate

Rockland has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and the hardiness zone is mainly 6b with some 6a in higher areas. Average monthly temperatures in New Jerusalem range from 27.6 °F in January to 71.4 °F in July. The annual absolute minimum temperature in New Jerusalem averages -4.5 °F.

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,765 people, 1,330 households, and 1,095 families residing in the township. The population density was 220.7 people per square mile (85.2/km²). There were 1,368 housing units at an average density of 80.2/sq mi (31.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.25% White, 0.24% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 1,330 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.4% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.6% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.10.

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19801,911—
19902,67540.0%
20003,76540.7%
20103,7780.3%
Est. 20163,793[2]0.4%
Source: US Census Bureau

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $59,280, and the median income for a family was $62,778. Males had a median income of $42,003 versus $28,429 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,530. About 2.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Supervisors
  • Russell Coffin, Chairman
  • Terry Fegley
  • Harold Meadway

Legislators
  • State Representative David Maloney Sr., 130th district, Republican
  • State Senator Judy Schwank, 11th district, Democrat
  • US Representative Dan Meuser, 9th district, Republican

Transportation

The main roads in Rockland Township include Fleetwood Road/Fredricksville Road, Forgedale Road/Memorial Highway, Lobachsville Road/Lyons Road, Main Street, Pricetown Road, Ruppert School Lane, and Smoketown Road.

Recreation

The western parcel of the Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 315 is located near the western corner of the township.[6][7]

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 13, 2017.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. A. E. Wagner, Ph.D., F. W. Balthaser, M.E., and D.K. Hoch, The Story of Berks County Pennsylvania, Eagle Book ad Job Press, Reading, 1913 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/advanced-viewer/ The National Map, retrieved 2 November 2018
  7. Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 315, retrieved 2 November 2018
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