The Railroad Shops on North Sixth Street
In 1900, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad began construction of the sprawling railroad shops along North Sixth Street in [...]
A convent and orphanage for the Bernardine Sisters and Alvernia University
Many of the new immigrants, particularly in the second half of the nineteenth century, were from Poland and were [...]
The Moss Street Fire
On May 25, 1996, a three alarm arson fire, out of control for more than four hours, destroyed the [...]
Spring Street Subway
In 1909, the city leaders celebrated with much fanfare the opening of the Spring Street Subway, a rail bridge [...]
Farmers-Kissinger Market, 800 block of Penn Street, Reading
The Farmers-Kissinger Market was located on the South side of the 800 block of Penn Street, Reading. It was [...]
Harry S. Kline – the Soft Pretzel Man at Fifth and Penn Streets, Reading
Years back, before suburban malls lured shoppers away from in town, Penn Street was teeming with pedestrians from morning to [...]
Rajah Theatre – Santander Performing Arts Center
In July of 1870, workers began to erect a building at 135 North Sixth Street which was to contain [...]
Faller’s Pretzels
Faller’s bakery was established by E. J. Faller (1888-1958) and his cousin George B. O’Neill in 1911. The business [...]
Hyde Park aka ‘Frymire’
Although a few houses were built along Kutztown Road before 1838, it wasn’t until that date when a blacksmith [...]
The Soldier’s General: Hunter Liggett of the A.E.F.
The Soldier’s General: Hunter Liggett of the A.E.F. Big stature, big deeds and straight talk personified the man, Major General [...]
Our Hometown
In the golden days of Reading we got used to the idea that we were living in a good [...]
Playground Memories
Reading used to be a playground town way back when we were kids. We would race out of bed [...]
The Crystal Restaurant
The Crystal Restaurant was once one of Reading’s most popular dining establishments. It was an institution, a landmark, the [...]
Groundbreaking – Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne Project
Groundbreaking was held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 for Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne project. Below: Alvernia University President John R. Loyack [...]
CNA Insurance Building, 401 Penn Street
After years of standing vacant, the former Saylor store at 401 Penn Street was razed in June 1980 to [...]
Court Street Urban Renewal Project of the 1960s
The 1960s and 1970s were marked by the effect of Federal urban renewal programs upon the City. Although it [...]
William H. Luden – Luden’s Candy
William H. Luden (1859-1949) was the developer of the menthol cough drop and founder of the Luden's company and [...]
Drexel, Tower Health medical school set for July finish
The Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health is taking shape in Wyomissing, with completion set for July. [...]
The Reading Renaissance Center
In September 1987 Joseph M. Eways, of Mast Management in Wyomissing, proposed the construction of a 20-plus-story ultramodern skyscraper [...]
Organized Crime’s Infiltration of The Pizza and Cheese Industry in Pennsylvania
In 1980, The Pennsylvania Crime Commission (PCC) documented the ties to Organized Crime of apparent legitimate cheese and pizza [...]
At the crossroads of Penn’s Common
The Penn’s Common area of the city, or “City Park” to the unenlightened, took on a mix of characters [...]
