CONCLUSION
This thesis deals with preserving the history of the Oley
Valley. There are two possible options presented; the expansion of the
Oley Township Historic District with the addition of Earl Township and the
designation of a possible historic scenic route that links several of the
historic buildings and villages within the Oley Valley and eastern Berks
County. Both options attempt to preserve the history of the Oley Valley
while maintaining its historical integrity.
The expansion of the Oley Township Historic District with the
addition of Earl Township would be unlikely for several reasons. Although
both townships share a common political and economic history, there are few
similarities in the present landscape of both townships to warrant the
expansion. Oley Township still maintains its agricultural heritage through
its various farms and corn fields while most of the historical buildings in Earl
Township have been converted into modern residences. Earl Township also
lacks several of the eleven characteristics of a rural landscape according to
the guidelines of the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Earl
Township has no systematic organization of the land, unique vegetation common
only to the township, and small-scale elements. There are also several
threats to the historical integrity of Earl Township. These include paved
historic paths, reservoirs, recreational areas, modern industries, and a
landfill. The lack of several characteristics of a rural landscape combined with
the various threats to historical integrity make the expansion of the Oley
Township Historic District an undesirable option.
The other option is the designation of a historic scenic route through the Oley Valley and eastern Berks County. This option is much more desirable for several reasons. The historic scenic route does not require that there be a common land use or activity throughout the region. Instead it focuses on the overall historical background of the Oley Valley. The route travels approximately twenty miles throughout the Oley Valley and eastern Berks County. The eleven historic villages and various historic buildings provide a sense of how the early inhabitants of the region lived, the importance of religion and work in their lives, and the influence of the Manatawny Creek on the various land uses. This is accomplished while eliminating most of the threats to the historical integrity. For these reasons, the designation of a historic scenic route is the more viable option in attempting to preserve the history of the Oley Valley.