The Reading Public Library built by Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was once the richest man in the world. Coming as a dirt poor kid from Scotland to [...]
The Reading Fairgrounds in Muhlenberg Township
On April 20, 1915, two adjoining tracts of land in Muhlenberg Township, totaling 54 acres, were purchased for $20,750 [...]
Spring Garden and Deppen Brewing Co.
When the oldest citizens were boys, and even before, there were summer gardens and other popular resorts in Reading [...]
Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge in Muhlenberg Township
Muhlenberg Township had two covered bridges, Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge and Leize’s Bridge, both of which spanned the Schuylkill River [...]
The Crossroads at Leisz’s Bridge in Muhlenberg Township
One of the most historic spots along Muhlenberg Township’s River Road is the intersection with Leisz’s Bridge Road. Leisz’s [...]
Astor Theatre – Penn Street – Reading PA
In 1891, the Keystone Market House at 734 Penn Street was transformed into the Eden Musee (a curio hall [...]
Penn Square Pedestrian Mall
The Penn Square Pedestrian Mall was originally a component of a much larger urban renewal plan. Sasaki Associates' Downtown [...]
Lorane Elementary School – Exeter Township
The cornerstone for the Lorane Elementary School building, Exeter Township, was laid during afternoon ceremonies on July 12, 1959. [...]
Octagon Schoolhouse in Sinking Spring
Located off the northwest corner of Mull and Penn Avenue was an Octagon Schoolhouse - a true landmark in [...]
City Hall – Reading Pennsylvania
Reading City Hall, located at the northeast corner of 8th and Washington Streets, was formally dedicated on July 10, [...]
Fairgrounds Square Mall Redevelopment
The 750,000 sq ft Fairgrounds Square Mall was developed by Interstate Properties in the late 1970’s. Recognizing the potential [...]
Must Make City Loveable
If we would awaken love of our city and make it permanent, we must make our city lovely and [...]
Wyomissing Park – The Modern Garden Suburb of Reading
In 1913, the textile magnates Ferdinand Thun (1866-1949), Henry Janssen (1866-1948), and Gustav Oberlaender (1867-1936), formed the Wyomissing Development [...]
Penn Theatre – West Reading, Pennsylvania
In the summer of 1939, the Wilmer and Vincent theatre chain, purchased the Ruth estate at Sixth and Penn Avenues [...]
Majestic Theatre – Mount Penn
On November 10, 1939, Eugene Deeter bought a ticket to the show in the newly-opened Wilmer and Vincent theatre [...]
Trolleys of Reading and Berks County Pennsylvania
Electric lines came early in Berks, the East Reading Electric Railway enjoying the distinction of being one of the [...]
Sacred Heart Parish, West Reading
By the dawn of the 20th century Reading was undergoing notable industrial expansion. The lure of jobs brought significant [...]
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Swinging Bridge at Outer Station
In 1886, the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad (P&R) decided to provide a safe pedestrian route across its main line [...]
The Reading Station Outlet Center
Around 1992, 8 million people used to shop the Reading area outlets each year. People would drive from near [...]
Reading Central Catholic High School
In 1927, Rev. Theodore Hammeke, rector of St. Paul's Church, established St. Paul's Commercial School as a department of [...]
History of the Warren Street, West Shore, and Outer Bypasses
Warren Street was constructed around 1920, running from Fayette Street near the Tulpehocken Creek east to a dead end [...]
