Alburtis Borough

Alburtis Borough Hall is located at 260 Franklin Street, Alburtis PA 18011; phone: 610-966-4777.

First settled ca. 1857, the borough was incorporated in 1913 from Macungie Township.

Beginnings [1]

Pop. 900.[†] Named for Allen Burtis, the contractor who built the East Pennsylvania branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway between Alburtis and Allentown during 1857-58 in memory of his unselfish spirit in providing employment to many men in that community. Of interest:

Hereford Furnace, where the first cook stove in America was made, is located south of Huff's Church in Hereford Township, Berks County, on the property of the Reformed Church Camp, better known as Camp Mensch Mill. This furnace was operated by Thomas Mabury from 1734 to 1768.

Mary Ann Furnace, also known as Trexler Furnace, is located in Longswamp Township, Berks County, near road between Lyons and Topton. It was built in 1789 by Jacob Lesher and operated by him until 1808. Then Reuben Trexler took charge of the furnace until 1837, when his son. Horatio, became the owner and operated it until 1869.

† The 2000 census put the population of Alburtis Boro at just over 2,100.

1. Pennsylvania State Publicity Commission, Pennsylvania Has Everything, 3rd edition, 1937, Harrisburg