Oley Valley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oley Valley, Pennsylvania
Region
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Berks
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	610 and 484

The Oley Valley is a beautiful valley located about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Reading, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It includes several townships like Oley, Pike, Ruscombmanor, Alsace, and part of Exeter Township.

Water flows through the valley from Manatawny and Pine Creeks. These creeks are part of the larger Schuylkill River system. Right in the middle of the valley is the village of Oley. This village has a very rich history. In March 1983, the entire Oley Township was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized for its important historical buildings and sites.

History of Oley Valley

Native American Heritage

Long before European settlers arrived, the Oley Valley was home to the Delaware tribe, also known as the Lenni-Lenape. In fact, it was the Native Americans who gave Oley its name. In their language, Olink means "kettle." This describes the valley's shape, which was an important meeting place for different Native American groups.

A special place in the valley is The Sacred Oak. This huge oak tree is more than 500 years old. It's located about one mile (1.6 km) from Main Street. The Lenape people used this tree for important meetings. They would make treaties and settle disagreements there.

The first European settlers came to the Oley Valley in the early 1700s. They found thriving Lenape villages and fields full of corn. For many years, the settlers and Native Americans lived together peacefully. Some Native Americans even became Christians.

However, things changed when the French and Indian War started. Relations between the settlers and the Lenape became difficult. One day, a farmer was reported killed by Native Americans. The whole town gathered in the largest house for safety. Sentries were posted, and men with muskets stood ready. The next morning, the "dead" farmer appeared, unharmed. He told everyone that all the Lenape had left the Oley Valley during the night. It's believed they left to fight in the war. None of them ever returned. Their homes were left untouched for many years. The last one finally fell apart in 1856.

Early European Settlers

The first European settlers arrived in the Oley Valley in the early 1700s. Most of them were German. There were also French Huguenots and Swiss people. They came seeking religious freedom.

One important early resident was Mordecai Lincoln. He was the great-grandfather of Abraham Lincoln, who became the 16th President of the United States. You can still visit the Lincoln Homestead in what is now Exeter Township. The Moravian Church also had a group in Oley for a while. They ran one of the first schools in the area.

Another famous family in the valley was the Boone family. Daniel Boone, the well-known pioneer, was born in Oley in 1734. Oley played a key role during the early days of the Revolutionary War. When George Washington's army was at Valley Forge, Oley's farmers sent lots of food. They also sent cannonballs made at the Oley Furnace. This helped Washington's army greatly.

The "Annals of Oley Valley" were written in 1926. They are still used today to learn about family histories. The town was first called "Friedensburg." But after World War II, the name was changed. It was often confused with another Friedensburg, PA.

Before World War II, Pennsylvania Dutch was the main language spoken by local residents. After the war, fewer people spoke it. Today, only older residents speak it fluently. Even though the language is fading, a strong heritage remains among the people of the valley.

The American poet Wallace Stevens grew up in Reading. The Oley Valley inspired some of his poems. His poem "Credences of Summer" talks about the valley:

One of the limits of reality
Presents itself in Oley when the hay,
Baked through long days, is piled in mows. It is
A land too ripe for enigmas, too serene.

Mountain Mary: A Healer of the Past

One of the most interesting people in early Oley history was Mountain Mary. Her real name was Anna Maria Jung. She was a German immigrant who practiced a type of folk magic called Braucherei, or pow-wow. She was famous for her knowledge of herbal remedies. People came to her for advice and comfort when they were sick.

Mountain Mary lived a simple life. She had one cow and did some farming. She earned money by keeping bees and making butter. Her quiet log cabin was on a ridge above Pikeville. She lived there with her two sisters. The cabin is gone now, but her spring house still stands on a farm along Mountain Mary Road. The first national census in 1790 called her an "abbess." This suggests her home was seen as a type of convent. Mountain Mary became ill and passed away in November 1819.

Community Life

Oley is a small village. It is right in the center of the Oley Valley. You can find it where Route 73 and Route 662 meet.

Local Businesses

At the corner of Main Street and Friedensburg Road, you'll find the heart of the village. An old building there used to be the Oley Valley Inn. It was a nice restaurant and a bed and breakfast. It closed in 2008.

Also at this corner is Ernst Licht Embroidery and Imports. Many people consider it famous for its real German clothing. South along Main Street is Four Seasons Sporting Goods. It has been serving the community with hunting and fishing supplies for over 30 years. The Oley Fire Company and its fairgrounds are also on Main Street.

A Weis supermarket, known locally as King's or the IGA, is on the corner of Route 73 and Friedensburg Road. In the same shopping area, King's Plaza, you'll find Nia's, an Italian restaurant and pizzeria. There's also Village Salon for hair and nails.

Oley has many places to eat. The M&M sandwich shop is between the old Oley Valley Inn building and the supermarket. It's built in a barn and is a popular spot for high school students. Across Route 73, you can find Bella Italia, another Italian restaurant. A Dunkin' Donuts is on Route 73. Christman's Meat Market is a small, family-owned butcher shop. It has been a local favorite on Route 73 for 30 years.

Pine Brook Farm is located off DeTurk Road on Gotwals Lane. This farm used to be a dairy farm. It covers over 300 acres of land. Today, it is home to Gotwals Trucking, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, and Xpressway. The Gotwals Brothers bought Pine Brook Farm in 1957. The original DeTurk house is still on the property.

The Oley Fair

The Oley Valley Community Fair Association was started in 1946. The first yearly Oley Valley Community Fair was held a year later, from October 2-4. This first fair had displays of local goods and businesses. It also offered entertainment and food.

The Oley Fair first took place on the Oley School grounds. Classes would end early so everyone could set up for the fair. Even today, students are dismissed early on the Friday of fair week. Many exhibits were inside the school. These included Home Economics, Fruit and Vegetable Departments, and some business displays. Some Oley citizens lent money to the Fair. This helped them buy extra tents from the Army. These tents were set up on the playing fields behind the school. They held the Farm Crops and Livestock exhibits.

In 1958, the Oley School grounds expanded. This meant less space was available for the Fair. So, other locations were considered. The Oley Fire Company grounds, next to the school, were chosen. The fair also bought 2.5 acres (10,000 m2) of land next to the Fire Company grounds for more parking. These changes helped to better show off the fair's exhibits and activities.

The Oley Fair is still going strong today. It is a community tradition. Some people work hard all year to grow a prize-winning fruit or vegetable. The Fair gives people in the Valley a chance to show their best livestock, produce, and handmade items. The Fair is also famous for its food. Volunteers prepare the food, not commercial vendors. It's cooked in the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch style.

Reading Motorcycle Club

Oley is home to the Reading Motorcycle Club. They have met in Oley every year for the past 65 years. The Reading Motorcycle Club is officially 97 years old. There's proof of an organized motorcycle club in Reading as early as 1905. But the club wasn't officially formed until 1914. Oley is a rural community that welcomes the motorcycle community.