More and more children are in Port Indian these days, please help keep them safe by driving slowly through the neighborhood


Schuylkill River History...


  • The Schuylkill River (/ˈskuːlkɪl/ SKOOL-kil) is a river in Pennsylvania that William Penn chose in 1682 as one bank of the confluence upon which he founded the planned city of Philadelphia on lands purchased from the native Delaware nation.
  • It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River, and its whole length was once part of the Delaware people's southern territories.
  • Its upper end rises in what are called the richest anthracite coal fields in the world.
  • The river is about 135 miles (217 km) long.
  • Its watershed of about 2,000 sq mi (5,180 km2) lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania.
  • The Lenape or Delaware Indians were the original inhabitants of the area around this river, which they called Tool-pay Hanna (Turtle River) or Tool-pay Hok Ing (Turtle Place).
  • The river was "discovered" by European explorers from the Netherlands, Sweden, and England.
  • It was through historical documents called various names, including Manayunk, Manajungh, Manaiunk, and Lenni Bikbi.
  • The Swedish explorer called it Menejackse kill or alternately Skiar kill or the Linde River. The headwaters of the river, up near Reading, was later called "Tulpehocken" by the English.
  • The river was later given the Dutch name Schuylkill (pronounced [sxœy̯lkɪl])[lacks stress].
  • As kill means "creek" and schuylen means "to hide, skulk" or "to take refuge, shelter", one explanation given for this name is that it translates to "hidden river", "skulking river" or "shelterd creek" and refers to the river's confluence with the Delaware River at League Island, which was nearly hidden by dense vegetation.
  • Another explanation is that the name properly translates to "hideout creek".
  • The bulk of the Unami Lenape actually lived along the Schuylkill River and not, as their namesake denotes, the Delaware River, which the Lenape called Len-api Hanna or "People-Like-Me River."


For more interesting facts and historical information on the Schuylkill River, follow this link to A River Runs Through Penn's Woods: Tracing the Mighty Schuylkill

meetings

 ​Next General Membership Meeting:

​  Tuesday March 24th

2020 @ 7:00PM


 

NEWS/EVENTS

Community Potluck 

Sat. May 2nd 2020 @ 2-6PM


Port Indian Little Free Library is Open for Business!!







COMMUNITY INFO

Resources and information about the community and the local area. 

Need Sunshine?

The Sunshine Lady sends flowers or cards to members and their immediate families in times of comfort and times of joy. 

 PORT INDIAN, PA

Welcome to Historic


Port Indian is a thriving and active waterfront community in the heart of the Valley Forge area. 

PHOTO GALLERIES

The river brings recreational activities , wildlife and stunning scenery, see what life is like in Port Indian

The Port Indian Civic and Boating Association was created by residents to contribute to the betterment of the community.   In 1954 Port Indian was comprised mostly of small vacation homes used as summer residences.  As time passed, more and more families were making Port Indian their full time home and wanted it to be a community for which they could be proud.  Money was needed to rebuild a crumbling bridge, to pave what was only a dirt road and improve water drainage issues, however  finding the funds to do this was a challenge. 


The Port Indian Regattabecame a way to raise funds

for the community improvements.   For one weekend each

summer, Port Indian became a festival of hydroplanes

and water skiing attracting thousands of spectators. 

The generous residents opened up their properties to

the droves of people who came to enjoy this spectacular

event.  The Regatta provided entertainment, enjoyment

and supported Port Indian. 


Over the years more and more boat drivers came to race at Port Indian, not for the prize money but because they enjoyed the spirit and active participation of our community. 

In 1991 the final Port Indian Regatta was held, however the spirit of this 38 year event lives on through a host of other annual traditions here at Port Indian.  PICBA also continues it's efforts to provide for the long term sustainability of the community. 


River Day, which normally takes place in July, is a great way for the community to come together to celebrate with food, fun and festivities.  


The Port Indian Ski Freeze  celebration has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 35 years.  Every January 1st, Port Indian ushers in the New Year by braving the cold to raise money for Camp Rainbow.  Water skiing in sub freezing temperatures may seem crazy, but it is always for a great cause.


Want to learn more?  Go back even further into Port Indian's history...