Frackville can be understood through three distinct threads of history: coal transport via Mahanoy Plane, the history of Lithuanian immigration at the Lithuanian Museum and Cultural Center, and the domes of Holy Ascension Church, which are considered a landmark and symbol of the borough. Another point of interest is the Schuylkill River Trail: it is a multi-use trail with a planned route extending over a considerable distance. These topics offer different perspectives on the area—from transporting coal over Broad Mountain to a trail project that spans several counties and Philadelphia.
Mahanoy Plane: Coal Transport over Broad Mountain
Mahanoy Plane was an inclined-plane railroad that transported coal from the Mahanoy Valley over Broad Mountain to Frackville. The historical perspective therefore focuses on the movement of coal, not solely on its extraction. Mahanoy Plane is also a historic site in the Frackville section of the Schuylkill River Trail. If you are choosing what to explore, it offers a distinct way to learn about industrial history; the trail adds a broader perspective on the planned route.
The Church and the History of Lithuanian Immigration
The present-day Holy Ascension Church was consecrated by the end of 1915 at the latest. Its domes remain a prominent landmark and symbol of the Borough of Frackville. Two time frames come together here: the consecration gives the church its historical grounding, while the domes shape its continuing role as a landmark. For travelers interested in local identity, it offers a different perspective from the stories of transport and immigration.
The Lithuanian Museum and Cultural Center opened in November 1982. Its exhibits explore the lives of typical Lithuanian immigrants who came to Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Region around the turn of the 20th century. The collection includes an extensive library of rare Lithuanian books, Lithuanian artifacts, and objects belonging to early Lithuanian immigrants who worked in coal mines. The library of rare books represents the written side of the collection; artifacts and objects complement it with material evidence. The distinction from Mahanoy Plane is specific: there, the focus is on coal transport; here, it also includes the lives of Lithuanian immigrants and their work in the mines. Check the museum’s access arrangements before your trip.
Schuylkill River Trail: Multi-Use Trail and Planned Route
The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail. Its planned route is intended to extend over 120 miles from Frackville in Schuylkill County through Montgomery, Chester, and Berks Counties to Philadelphia. The more than 120 miles describe the planned route’s overall scale, with Frackville as the starting point and Philadelphia as the destination. A 2024 feasibility study also proposes that the planned route bring users to or near Arch Street Park.
Discover more destinations: Pine Grove, Zion Grove, Mahanoy City, Pottsville, Coaldale, Girardville, Minersville.
Back to the main travel overview: Schuylkill County.
