Fitzwater Station
Fitzwater Station was a stop on the anti-slavery Underground Railroad. Located in Port Providence, Pennsylvania, United States, it is now a restaurant and bar. "The Fitz" overlooks the Schuylkill Canal.
History
The owner and operator of Fitzwater Farm in Upper Providence Township during the mid-1800s, Abel Fitzwater was a descendant of Thomas Fitzwater, who emigrated from England in 1682, sailing aboard the Welcome with William Penn. Residing with his uncle from the time of his mother's death until 1825 when he married Isabella Umstead, the younger Fitzwater subsequently purchased the tract of land that would later be known as "Fitzwater Farm."In 1839, Abel Fitzwater became a local hero when he rescued area residents during a major flood which devastated Lumberville in January of that year. After residents rebuilt their lives, their community thrived, largely due to the connection of key spots along the Schuylkill River with the Schuylkill Canal, which facilitated regular transports of coal.
The farm passed to Fitzwater's son, Joseph, shortly thereafter when Abel Fitzwater fell ill and died in 1840 due to the exposure he suffered during his frigid water rescues. The proprietor of a hardware store in Phoenixville and president of the Phoenix Bridge Co., Joseph Fitzwater also served on the board of directors of the National Bank of Phoenixville.