In the early 1940’s, two Civilian Conservation Corps camps were built at what is now French Creek State Park. Portions of the abandoned Canal, which became obsolete in the 1870s, are still evident throughout the northern part of the Township.ĭuring the Great Depression of the 1930’s, the Federal Government purchased land used for charcoal production as part of a national project to provide jobs and improve local economies by developing recreation sites. The Canal provided the means to transport coal, iron, lumber, merchandise, and produce from Schuylkill County to Philadelphia.
The Schuylkill Canal Navigation System, completed in 1824, promoted development of the Township. By the early 1800s mills were located along the Schuylkill River and Six Penny, Hay, and Mill Creeks. Readily available water power provided industrial opportunities for the early settlers. In 1765 Hopewell Furnace, now a National Park Service site, was prominent in the iron industry and played an important role providing iron for the American Revolution. The land areas adjacent to the Schuylkill River and the Hay Creek provided productive land for farming. In 1705 Swedes and Germans were the first settlers within the present boundaries of Union Township, by 1759 there were 62 taxable persons, and in 2010 the Township had grown to 3,503 residents. The land area of Union Township, like most of Berks County, was purchased in the early 1700s through an existing treaty between the local Native Americans, known as the Lenape or Delaware Indians, and the sons of William Penn.
The Township was formed through the “union” of portions of Robeson Township (Berks County) and Coventry Township (Chester County). Union Township was established in 1753 by proceedings in the Berks County Court of Quarter Sessions.
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