Shillington, Pennsylvania

Shillington is a borough located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 5,059. It is the birthplace of author John Updike and the basis for the town "Olinger" he writes about in his fiction.

Related Topics:
Berks County, Pennsylvania - 2000 - John Updike

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shillington is a small suburban area nestled amongst other suburbs outside of Reading. More than 2000 students attend the Governor Mifflin High School, Middle School, and Cumru Elementary School (all part of the Governor Mifflin School District) located in Shillington. The high school was formerly known as Shillington High School.

Related Topics:
Reading - High school

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The town called Shillington began around 1860 as part of Cumru Township. It was incorporated as a separate town on August 8, 1908 and named after Samuel Shilling, who owned land in the area in the mid 19th century. Also in the 19th century, Shillington was mostly known as a stagecoach stop since it is 5 km (3 mi) from Reading on the Lancaster Pike.

Related Topics:
1860 - Cumru Township - August 8 - 1908 - 19th century - Stagecoach

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Much of the borough's present land was occupied by Angelica Farm which would be established as an alms house, or poorhouse, in 1824. The buildings of the Governor Mifflin School District now occupy most of land that was once part of the alms house. Today, the most notable visible remnant of the poorhouse is a stone wall that is within short walking distance down the road from John Updike's old home. Updike's first novel, The Poorhouse Fair, described Shillington's poorhouse. http://www.poorhousestory.com/PA_BERKS_Co.htm Angelica Farm was also the historical home of Thomas Mifflin, the first governor of Pennsylvania.

Related Topics:
1824 - The Poorhouse Fair - Thomas Mifflin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~