Frackville was founded in 1876, when the villages of Frackville and Mountain City merged to form the borough of Frackville. The name "Mountain City", however, is still a common nickname for the town, as well as the name of a local eatery and beverage supplier. In the early 1900s, the thriving anthracite coalanthracite coal mining industry Frackville was started in 1876, when the villages of Frackville and Mountain City combined to form the current borough. The name "Mountain City" is still pervasive in the area, having been the name of a local eatery and currently sharing its name with a beverage supplier. Early in the twentieth century, Anthracite coalanthracite coal mining was the chief industry. The "Mahanoy Plane" was able to hoist 50,000 tons of coal daily. Coal mining has largely ceased in the area. Many of Frackville's residents are employed at local factories, retail outlets, and the numerous Pennsylvania state prisons in the immediate area. In 1900, the population was 2,595; in 1910, 3,118; and in 1940, 8,035. The population was 4,361 at the 2000 census. Located at Interstate 81 Exit 124, Frackville is a popular stop for travelers. It is home of the Dutch Kitchen, a well publicized restaurant that is a renovated diner, and the nearest town to the Schuylkill Mall, a former Crown American shopping mall which has recently been in decline. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frackville%2C_Pennsylvania