Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 24.6 square miles (64 km²), of which, 24.4 square miles (63 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) of it (0.77%) is water. It is drained by the Schuylkill River which forms its natural southern boundary. While areas closer to the river are low-lying, the NW area of the township is in the South Mountains and exceeds 250 metres (820 feet) at its highest.

Adjacent townships and boroughs

Unincorporated communities in the township include Baumstown, Five Points (also in Alsace Township,) Jacksonwald, Limekiln (also in Oley Township,) Lorane, Neversink, Pennside (also in Lower Alsace Township,) Reiffton, Stony Creek Mills (also in Lower Alsace Township,) Stonersville, and Stonetown.

Attractions

History

The name Exeter derives from the town of Exeter in Devon, England. Numerous other places have also been given the name Exeter.

The John Bishop House, Boonecroft, Levan Farm, Mordecai Lincoln House, Mill Tract Farm, and Snyder Mill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Origin

The year 1701 is believed to be the year that Berks County was first settled. Swedes, relocating from the Philadelphia and Delaware River areas, settled in what is now Amity Township. In 1712, Isaac DeTurk moved from Esopus, New York to Oley and began a settlement there. It was a mix of French Huguenots, Germans Quakers and Swiss. In 1740, they petitioned Philadelphia County for Oley to become its own Township. Exeter Township was founded December 7, 1741. Previously considered part of Oley Township, the area's residents petitioned Philadelphia County to become a separate Township six months after the establishment of Oley. The petitioners were: James Boone, Benjamin Boone, John Boone, Squire Boone, John Hughes, William Hughes, Francis Yarnell, Peter Yarnell, Michael Warren, Peter Huyett, Peter Higo, Ezekiel Mathias, Roger Rogers, Joseph Brown, Jacob Vetter, and Ellis Hughes. These petitioners represent our Quaker background, and mostly resided in the area around the Quaker Meetinghouse and the Monocacy and Limekiln creeks. The actual name of the Township, "Exeter", is generally credited to the George Boone family. That family was from a town called Bradninch, England, just outside the town of Exeter. Many similarities still exist between the two cities, among them being the geography, soil type, and proximity to a town called St. Lawrence.

Early Residents and Communities

The first community created in Exeter was called Snydersville. It was populated mostly by relatives of Hans Schneider from the Limekiln area. It contained stores, schools, mills, and even a hotel. Some of the other communities that developed early were: Baumstown, Black Bear, Jacksonwald, St. Lawrence, Stonersville, Stonetown, Lorane, and Neversink Station. George Boone and family were one of the most influential families in Exeter. At one time they owned over 1,000 acres (4 km²) of land in the Township and were among the petitioners to form the Township. Of course there's Daniel Boone as well, who we know grew up in Exeter and went on to become famous in his journeys from Kentucky to Missouri. Another important name is Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather Mordecai had a homestead that is still standing along Heister's creek.

Growth

Through the 19th and 20th centuries, Exeter began to grow due to the need for connections, between the city of Reading, Oley, Boyertown, Birdsboro, and King of Prussia. Trolley lines pushed through the Township, in the Farming Ridge area on its way to Boyertown and in the Reiffton area headed towards Birdsboro. Suburban sprawl got going post WWII to boost Exeter's population and the Route 422 Expy to King of Prussia was completed in the 1980s. All of these things lead us up to what Exeter Township is today, a thriving community of over 25,000 people.

School District

Exeter's school district is made up of three K-4 grade elementary schools: Lorane, Owatin Creek, and Jacksonwald; one 5-6 grade middle school: Reiffton Elementary School ; one 7-8 grade junior high: Exeter Junior High School; and one 9-12 grade senior high: Exeter Township Senior High School. There is a district website: [2]

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,161 people, 7,934 households, and 6,061 families residing in the township. The population density was 867.6 people per square mile (335.0/km²). There were 8,208 housing units at an average density of 336.5/sq mi (129.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.37% White, 2.05% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.

There were 7,934 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $56,956, and the median income for a family was $65,061. Males had a median income of $46,067 versus $31,149 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,071. About 2.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation department, headed by Joseph Seltzer III, is responsible for park facility maintenance, recreation activities for the community, and special Township events. The office can be reached at 610-406-0263. For pavilion rentals, please call 610-779-5660. The following programs and events are offered by the Parks & Recreation Department every year. More information about each program/event will be posted as they approach. Watch the "upcoming events" and "upcoming programs" to the right.

Programs Players League Basketball This 6-week program held at Community Park, starting in early June, consists of a 1-week evaluation, 3 weeks of league games and a 2-week double elimination tournament. The program is open to all kids ages 12-15. The league runs every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6—8 pm.

Instructional League Basketball

This 6-week program held at Community Park, starting in early June, consists of 3 weeks of instruction and game experience and 3 weeks of league games ending with a double elimination tournament. The program is open to all kids ages 7-11. The league will run every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6—8 pm.

Street Hockey

This 6 week program, held at the Lorane Hollow Park Tennis Courts in early June, consists of 3 weeks of instruction and game experience, and 3 weeks of all game play. The program is open to all kids ages 9-14. The season will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 am.

Tennis This 6 week program, directed by Mark O’Neill, Certified PTR Professional and International Tennis Federation with assistance from high school tennis players, will teach a progressive step-by-step approach to building athletic and tennis skills through fun games, exercises, and playing the game. There are groupings for 6-9 year olds (9-10am)and 10-14 year olds (10am-12pm). The program runs every Monday and Wednesday at Community Park starting in June.

Field Hockey

This 6-week program will consist of instructional drills and game-like situations that will teach your children the growing sport of field hockey. The program is open to all children of ages 8-14. The program will run every Monday and Wednesday from 8:30-10:30am at Community Park starting in June.

Lacrosse

This 6-week Lacrosse Program consists of a mixture of instruction and drills to help teach the fastest game on two feet. The program is open to all kids ages 9-13. Our staff is composed of current and former Exeter High School lacrosse players as well as the varsity coaches from the high school on a few days. The season will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11am at Community Park starting in June.

Summer Playgrounds Over the 8-week summer playground program, starting in June, your child will be involved in a variety of theme-oriented activities offered at Lorane Hollow, Community, Farming Ridge and Pineland Park. Each park has scheduled weekly arts and crafts and every week there will be a special event for the children, or even the entire family to participate in. Some of the special events planned are a Water Festival, Crestwood Pool, Body Zone Trip, Reading Phillies Day, Franklin Institute and much more. Parks will be open from 9am to 2pm.

Summer Funcamp

Youths ages 11-15 are invited to participate in a more sports oriented playground program to be held Mon – Thurs. from 11am-2pm at Community Park, running for 8-weeks starting in June.

Special Events

Easter Egg Scramble This free event takes place at Community Park 2 weeks before Easter on a Saturday starting at 11am. The event is for children ages 1-9 but we also have an Adult Easter Egg Scramble! There are plenty of eggs and prizes for everyone. There will also be face painting, free crafts, refreshments, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures! May Days This 2 day event in May is held at the Exeter High School. The proceeds from the event will benefit the APT’s (Association of Parents and Teachers) from all 6 schools in the Exeter District. The Festival consists of rides and games for children of all ages, as well as some great food and quality entertainment. The event is held on a Friday and Saturday from 3-10pm. To finish it all off the High School Band will do there field presentation followed by a beautiful fireworks display on Saturday night. Exeter Games Our very own skateboard, bmx bike and scooter skills competition! It is held in September at the Pineland Skate Park. The competition is set up for all ages and all skill levels. Trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and best trick. Golf Tournament Our scramble tournament held at the Reading Country Club on the last Friday in September, benefits all of the youth athletics in Exeter Township. The tournament offers lunch, dinner, beverages and plenty of give-a-ways. Sponsorships are needed and greatly appreciated! Hayride and Haunted House This 3-day event is held every Columbus Day Weekend at the Trout Run Sports Complex. The Hay Ride and Haunted House is "family-friendly" on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is the Scary night and may not be suitable for young children. The hayride is 30 minutes long traveling our dark and scary walking trail along the Schuylkill River. We also offer refreshments, pictures with the family, face painting, games, rides, a DJ, costume contest and crafts while you await your ride! Festival of Lights This free event, held at the Reading Country Club on the first Monday in December, starts the Holiday Season! Come enjoy our beautiful light display, performances from our High School Brass Ensemble and Choir, and the Berks Ballet Theater. Santa will make an appearance to hear all the children’s wishes. We also have free crafts, refreshments and pictures with Santa

Board of supervisors

Transportation

U.S. Route 422 and Pennsylvania Route 562 are east-to-west routes across the township. U.S. Route 422 Business splits off US 422 in western Exeter Township, runs northwest to St. Lawrence where PA 562 ends, then turns west for Reading, while US 422 becomes the West Shore Expressway. Major north-to-south roads include Butter Lane, Daniel Boone Road, East Neversink Road, Limekiln Road, Schoffers Road/Stonetown Road, Shelbourne Road, West Neversink Road, and Pennsylvania Route 345, which crosses the river from US 422 in Baumstown south to Birdsboro and Chester County. Oley Turnpike heads NE across the township from PA 562 just east of St. Lawrence.