History Of Birdsboro :

Birdsboro was named after its founder, William Bird, who took warrants for land on Haycreek Road and later Six Penny Creek as early as 1737. On the banks of Haycreek, he established a forge about 1740, which was followed by other forges along the creek, as well as a sawmill and a gristmill. Between 1737 and 1751, he took up warrants for about 1600 acres of land. He died in 1761. Marcus Bird, a son, succeeded his father. He enlarged his father's work in Haycreek, and built a furnace on French Creek at Hopewell. He was the largest producer of iron in America during the Revolutionary War.

When Berks County was constituted in 1762, Birdsboro was already a town of considerable size. In 1796, Matthew Brooke purchased all of the lands owned by the Bird family including all forges and mills. Matthew Brooke died in 1821, and his two sons became the exclusive owners in 1837. They later became organized into the E & G Brooke Iron Co., and their influence made the growth of the town possible.

Birdsboro was taken from Union and Robeson Townships and incorporated into a Borough in 1872. It is one of largest Borough in the county, being approximately one mile square. Since 1883, it is supplied by water from three reservoirs, located in the hills south of the Borough. Electric lights were installed in 1896. In 1964, a modern sewage disposal system was installed in the Borough and was subsequently updated for greater capacity and improved treatment in 1982. In 1964, the Birdsboro Municipal Authority purchased the water system from the owners of the Birdsboro Water Co. In 1920 the citizens of the community remodeled the mansion which the founder of the town, William Bird, erected about 1751.

This recreation facility is called, "The Community Memorial Center". In addition to this facility, there are also the following recreational facilities in the area: Maple Springs Swimming Pool; French Creek State Park for hiking, swimming and picnics; Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake for fishing and boating; Arrowhead and Blackwood public 18-hole golf courses; and tennis courts owned by the Borough. There is also organized football and baseball for youth. The Reading Phillies, a Double A Minor League baseball team, is located in Reading, just twenty minutes away.

Birdsboro is a community of beautiful homes and substantial buildings. Public buildings are to a great extent new and modern and recently added subdivisions have opened excellent sites for additional residences. Within the borough are several apartment units owned by the private sector. There are also housing units available for both senior citizens and families located at Chestnut Court and the Brooke Estate.

In addition, Birdsboro Estates contain 36 units of housing funded through the Farmers Home Administration. There are no mining operations under the borough and soil conditions are favorable for excavation and drainage. Housing is ample for present needs and many new residences are being erected as needed. The community has a comprehensive zoning ordinance and building code for the protection of residential and industrial property

The Birdsboro Police Department is located in the Birdsboro Borough Hall. The Chief of Police, Sergeant , six full-time patrol officers and one part-time patrol officer provide 24-hour service and protection to the residents of the Borough of Birdsboro. In addition to the mandatory and yearly in-service training, many of the officers have received specialized training in various subjects within the law enforcement field.

The Post Office is located on West Main Street. It is a 1st Class office. It is a modern facility constructed in 1987. The community is served by two family medical centers and a podiatrist with three accredited hospitals located twenty minutes away. The Southern Berks Ambulance Service maintains an excellent ambulance service for the community. There are also two dentists, one optometrist, one funeral director and six attorneys-at-law.

The community is served by two family medical centers and a podiatrist with three accredited hospitals located twenty minutes away. The Southern Berks Ambulance Service maintains an excellent ambulance service for the community. There are also two dentists, one optometrist, one funeral director and six attorneys-at-law. The library is located at 129 North Mill Street

The Daniel Boone Area School is a unification of the school districts of Amity, Union, and Birdsboro. The school district is under the guidance of a nine-member school board elected on the basis of three members of each political subdivision. A large percentage of graduates further their education at institutions of higher learning. A broad vocational program for those interested in a vocational education is available through Berks County Office of Public Education. Kutztown University, Albright College, Alvernia College and Reading Area Community College are located within commuting distance of the borough.

The religious life of the community is guided by the Birdsboro Area Ministerium consisting of the following churches: St. Paul's United Church of Christ, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Alice Focht Memorial United Methodist Church, Immaculate Conception Church, First Church of the Nazarene, and Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church.

Three daily papers consisting of the "Reading Times", "Reading Eagle" and "Pottstown Mercury" serve the borough. There is also a weekly newspaper called, "The News of Southern Berks" which includes a great deal of local information about the community.The Friendship Fire Company #1, located on West First Street, protects the Borough of Birdsboro from fire. The Fire Company is manned by 25 trained volunteer firefighters. Apparatus, housed at the Fire Company, that protects the Borough consists of the following: A Heavy Rescue, Two Pumpers and an Ariel Truck. The Fire Company conducts Fire Prevention programs during Fire Prevention Week. The Fire Company is always willing to honor requests from civic organizations for Fire Safety Programs. The Fire Company also sells Christmas trees and Easter Flowers and delivers Santa to the Borough children.Anyone interested in joining the Fire Company in any capacity or needs information please feel free to stop by or call at 610-582-0058.

Birdsboro is served by the D&E Communications Telephone Company and enjoys service from their latest equipment. Service Electric Cable Television provides cable television for interested subscribers.
The water system is municipally owned and consists of three reservoirs located south of the Borough. Water pressure is steady and sufficient with no interruption of service. Quarterly rates for residential users are $ 15.00 for the first 3,000 gallons and $ 3.00 for every 1,000 gallons thereafter.
The sewer system is municipally owned consisting of a modern disposal plant and sewerage collection system. Sewer rates are based on water usage at a rate of $ 15.00 for the first 3,000 gallons of water and $ 2.90 per 1,000 gallon of water that goes through the meter thereafter.