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Ontelaunee Township

Ontelaunee Township

35 Ontelaunee Drive, Reading, PA 19605 | Berks County | 610-926-4240

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About Ontelaunee Township

History of Ontelaunee Township

Ontelaunee Township takes its name from the large stream which drains the greater part of the upper eastern portion of the county. It is an Indian word, and signifies “Maiden Creek,” a daughter or branch of the Schuylkill. The stream was called “Maiden Creek” by the Friends (Quakers) when they began their first settlements 1733 – ignoring the beautiful and expressive name “Ontelaunee.” The friends took up the first land by patents along and across its winding banks from its mouth northwardly for more than ten miles; and also along the eastern bank of the Schuylkill from the same point to the Blue Mountain.

On April 2, 1849, a petition of certain inhabitants of Maiden-creek Township was presented to court, asking for a division of the township, and suggesting as a proper name for the western portion, “Schuylkill.” The name of the proposed township was changed by the court to “Antalawny” (Ontelaunee) and the new township was erected into a separate election district by act passed February 28, 1850.

In Ontelaunee Township, the first settlers were Friends, some of whom entered the territory as early as 1721. Early settlers included Francis Parvin, who settled at what is known as Berkley. Berkley, which is located on Willow Creek, where it was crossed by the Centre Turnpike and the Berks County Railroad, was an early settlement in the township. The Borough of Leesport was also originally a part of Ontelaunee Township.

Township Supervisors

Kenneth Stoudt – Chairman Term Expires 12/31/2021
William Klein – Vice Chairman Term Expires 12/31/2023
Gary Hadden – Supervisor Term Expires 12/31/2026

Planning Commission

Nona Geiger – Member Term Expires 12/31/2020
Dale Wilson – Vice Chairman Term Expires 12/31/2022
Jerry Vanluvanee – Secretary Term Expires 12/31/2020
Gary Hadden – Member Term Expires 12/31/2020
Brandt Welker – Chairman Term Expires 12/31/2022

Zoning Hearing Board

Donna Martz – Chairwoman Term Expires 12/31/2022
Josh Steingraber – Vice-Chair Term Expires 12/31/2020
Peter Smith – Term Expires 12/31/2020

ZHB Application

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Ontelaunee Township
35 Ontelaunee Drive
Reading, PA 19605

  • 610-926-4240
  • 610-926-5476
  • Email Us

Kim Berger
Secretary/Treasurer
Ext. 200

Office Hours
Mon – Fri │ 9AM – 3PM

No cash is taken at this office!!!

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