established Oley's first settlement site, about 1706, near the present location of Pikeville. The township has the distinction of being named for a fish that was once common in its streams.
Pike Township was originally part of Oley Township, and later the land was included in Oley, District, Rockland, and Earl Townships. It was not formally erected as its own unit of government until 1812. Nevertheless, its first settler, Johannes
Keim, established Oley's first settlement site, about 1706, near the present location of Pikeville. The township has the distinction of being named for a fish that was once common in its streams.
Lobachsville is the oldest village in the Township. Here, William Pott purchased a large tract along Pine Creek, where he established a farm and a grist mill. In 1745 he sold 59 acres downstream from his mill to Peter Lobach, where he and his sons founded an industrial community, with fulling mill, woolen factory, and chair factory. Later Samuel Lobach opened a store that became the location of the post office in 1835. William Lobach built a tavern across the road from the store.
Pikeville, like Lobachsville is an extension of the Oley Valley lying at the base of the Oley Hills. The village grew after a store and tavern built there by William Shall. To the west was the Keim farm, dating to 1706. To the east was the Motz Gristmill on Oysterville Creek, built before 1775, and Johannes Oyster's land extending up the Oysterville Valley, acquired before 1750. In 1834, the townships first post office was established at the Shall store to serve this growing community.
Water power was important through much of the township's history. Pine Creek powered several iron forges, operated by the Pott and Hielig families, as well as the
mills at Lobachsville. Oysterville Creek supported three gristmills. This indicates that farming and the growing of wheat were very important in this region. Agriculture has always been a leading land use, supplemented by a timber industry, the locale being known for the production of fine woods from its mature walnut trees. The lumber industry and manufacturing interests declined over time giving way to farming as the leading industry. The township is also home to one of the oldest farm implement dealers in Berks County, the Pikeville Equipment Shop.
The township has two historic churches with large cemeteries. St. Paul's United Church of Christ, overlooking Lobachsville, and Hill Church, located in the eastern section of the township. There were six school districts served by one-room schools before modern consolidation when Pike Township became part of the Oley Valley School District.
The township is rich in historic buildings, and in historic landscapes. The Jacob Keim Homestead, Yoder Mill and the Mill at Lobachsville are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The villages of Lobachsville and Pikeville have been determined eligible for National Register listing.
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