Early Irish Settlers in the Iron Industry in Berks County
The iron industry had early development in Berks County. During the eighteenth century it steadily grew in importance; and [...]
The Seventh and Penn Street Railroad Crossing
From day one of the 20th century it was recognized that the future well-being of the development of center-city [...]
The Baer Building
The Baer Building in Reading occupies the lot at the northeast corner of Church and Court Streets. [...]
Reading Iron Company: The Rise and Fall of an Industrial Giant in Reading, Pennsylvania
The story of the Reading Iron Company begins in 1836, when four prominent industrialists—Benneville Keim, George Keim, James Whitaker, [...]
St. Michael’s Convent, Hyde Park
Saint Michael Convent began as a “seminary for young ladies,” established and conducted by the Sisters of the Immaculate [...]
Five and Dimes of Main Street, Reading, PA
When Woolworth's declared bankruptcy back in 1997, it marked the symbolic end of an era when beloved "five and [...]
F. W. Woolworth Store, 530-534 Penn Street
On September 20, 1884, F. W. Woolworth opened a store in Reading, PA at 530-534 Penn Street. The F. [...]
S.S. Kresge Co., 544 Penn Street
S.S. Kresge Co. was one of the largest and most successful retail chains of the 20th century. On August [...]
Southeast corner of Sixth and Penn Streets
The southeast corner property at Sixth and Penn Streets, the sixty feet of former Outlot No. 20 of the [...]
Woda Group completes 57 apartments for Seniors
The Woda Group Inc., an Ohio-based property development firm specializing in affordable housing design, construction and management the water [...]
Douglas Development Corporation to repurpose the Reading Station
Douglas Development Corporation will repurpose the former Reading Station Outlet Center at 600 Spring Street by constructing 500 apartments [...]
Reading and Berks County Speaking
Oling, Tulpewihaci, Gokhosing, Machsithanne! Some foreign language? Not at all. These are native American Indian words which Berks County [...]
The Skew Arch Bridge in Reading, PA
The Skew Arch Bridge in Reading, PA, also known as the Askew Bridge and nicknamed the Soap and Whiskey [...]
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 [...]
