Modernization and Urban Renewal of Penn Street, Reading, PA
In the 1930s Reading, Pennsylvania, was a medium-sized city of 111,000 inhabitants. As the seat of Berks County, Reading was the social, political, and economic focus for the predominantly agricultural communities that surrounded it. [...]
Reading City Park – Penn’s Common
Film of City Park, Penn's Common, 1929 showing old bandstand and prison. Water-Works, Prison, and Fairgrounds Reading City Park at the head of Penn Street was set apart as early as 1749 [...]
Northwest Corner of Fifth and Washington Streets
Michael Brecht, (1732-1814), the third son of an emigrant, came to Reading in January 1752, the year Berks County was established, and built a simple dwelling on lot No. 391 as stipulated in the [...]
Southeast Corner of Fifth and Washington Streets
Around 1939 the white facade Post Office at the Southeast corner of 5th and Washington Streets was constructed. The present post office replaced another post office located at the same corner. Erected in [...]
The Great Flood of 1850
Two episodes of serious flooding occurred in southeastern Pennsylvania in the summer of 1850. A tropical storm moving north from Virginia soaked the region overnight on July 18-19, causing flash floods that killed at [...]
Berks County Prison in City Park
Long before the construction of the Berks County prison in Bern Township a battle raged over what to do with the old jail located in City Park. Below: Berks County Prison (1847-1936). [...]
Featured series – Sin City
About GoReadingBerks
GoReadingBerks is a digital platform dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania. Through carefully curated articles, vintage photographs, and in-depth research, it explores the region’s past—from its industrial heritage and architectural landmarks to its cultural traditions and community stories.
