Across the ridge of Mount Penn, Reading, PA, extends the Skyline Boulevard or Skyline Drive. Motorists who fail to drive across the boulevard when visiting the City of Reading are depriving themselves of an un-paralleled view of Reading and countryside for miles around. [...]
The Pagoda and the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower are two of three landmarks on Mount Penn. The third is a large peace sign painted on a large rock on Mount Penn facing Reading. In 1967, LeRoy G. Levan and a handful of [...]
As early as 1850, most of the outdoor entertainments were in parks shaded by huge trees with a thick covering of tan bark on the ground. Variety acts with pioneer gymnasts and acrobats, orchestra and band concerts, and choral organizations entertained enthusiastic gatherings [...]
The Gruber Wagon Works, recognized as a National Historic Landmark, exists as one of the finest examples of late nineteenth century manufacturing in the United States. The wagon works, which contains over 19,000 artifacts and depicts the business peak production years of the [...]
The White Chapel was built forty-seven years before it became part of Albright College. In 1836, Jonathan E. Deininger built Linden Hall, a mansion on a 4 1/2-acre estate at 13th & Exeter streets. The Central Pennsylvania Diocese of the Protestant Episcopal [...]
Sinking Spring Drive-In The Sinking Spring Drive-In, which opened in 1955, was the third in Berks to be built in the post-World War II heyday of America's love affair with the car. When it was built by Fabian and Jay Emanuel Theaters, its [...]
George Lauer immigrated to America in 1823. Upon landing at Baltimore, Md., he was poor, having just had enough money to pay the passage across the ocean for him and family. The journey was made in a sailing vessel and required three months. [...]
Mr. Whitner was a son of the late George Whitner, and was born in Oley Township at Yellowhouse. He was educated in the township schools and worked on his father's farm. Calvin K. Whitner began his career in Oley Township, Berks County, not [...]
The Lindbergh Viaduct was constructed to provide another eastern entrance to the City so as to relieve Perkiomen Avenue of some of its traffic. Built in 1927 at a cost of about $470,000, the Viaduct was designed by Berks County Engineer Charles F. [...]
Although Rajah Temple had its beginning in 1892, the year 1893 brought the actual setting up of the Mystic Shrine organization in Reading and the beginning of work in the Order. The minutes of the first Recorder, Philip Bissinger, shows that the first [...]
