St. Catharine’s Orphan Asylum for Girls
St. Catharine's Orphan Asylum for Girls was founded due to the generosity of Mrs. Catharine Madary, a Reading widow who passed away on May 22, 1871. Below: The photo below shows the small beginning [...]
Hershey Candy Factory – Reading, PA
Milton Snavely Hershey (September 13, 1857 – October 13, 1945) was an American chocolatier, businessman, and philanthropist. At the age of 14, Hershey, who'd dropped out of school the year before, expressed an interest [...]
Abandoned Mine Shafts in Reading, PA
The first main shaft for iron ore in Reading was sunk on Mt. Penn around 1843. The first mining there was done for the late George W. Oakeley. At first most of the ore [...]
City Park Iron Water Spring
Around the turn of the last century many people would visit City Park because they believed that the spring that spouted forth "iron water" at an outlet adjoining the Lily Pond had healing properties. [...]
James Nolan – Railroad and Bridge Contractor
James Nolan, president of Reading Trust Co. and a railroad and bridge contractor for many years, was born in Ireland in 1844. His dad moved to New York in 1849 where he worked as [...]
Tyson-Schoener Elementary School
Tyson-Schoener Elementary School was built in 1928 and was named for Benjamin Tyson and Adam Schoener, local legislators who supported the establishment of free public schools in 1834. This Art Deco building features a [...]
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.
