Bernhart's dam and lake has existed on an extensive Spring Valley acreage since 1796. The dam was originally constructed for a grist mill. John S. Bernhart acquired the mill tract in 1832. He enlarged the dam, built a new mill and then added [...]
The oldest and largest establishment of its kind in this part of the State, Jno. F. Boyer’s old reliable stables, have long been recognized as unrivalled for efficiency of service and complete facilities in all matters connected with horses and general livery business. [...]
In 1976, due to the rise of larger macro breweries, Reading Brewing Company ceased operations. The following article appeared in the April 15, 1976 edition of the Reading Times newspaper. The Reading Brewing Co. was filling its Bergheim cans today with premium [...]
The Reading Brewing Company was founded in 1886 by Philip Bessinger with a brewery at Ninth and Laurel streets in Reading. The beer was originally called Old Reading Beer and was marketed as a Pennsylvania Dutch beer. The brewery began with a production [...]
November, 1931: Fashioned with wood, the work of Textile craftsmen is a beautiful miniature reproduction of the Reading Hospital buildings and proposed additions. Made in Textile’s Wood Pattern Shop by Willis J. Katzenmoyer and Charles Wengert, under the supervision of Foreman Harry A. [...]
At the junction of Friedensburg Road and Old Spies Church Road, about a half-mile past the former Stony Creek Mills in Lower Alsace Township, stands an interesting stone structure that prior to enlargement had been a horse stable. Before that, it was Ancona’s [...]
The tradition of the fire truck parade on Penn Street dates back to the turn of the 20th century. It is not known exactly when these parades began on a regular basis. However, they may have started with the tradition of driving a [...]
Three hundred years ago few Europeans lived in what we now call Berks County. At that time it was the home of wild animals and Indians. Great forests of giant trees were found in its valleys and on most of its rugged hills. [...]
Read’s Department Store was located on the northeast corner of 7th and Penn Streets. This imposing 3-story building was under construction just as the Great Depression struck in 1929; consequently, the intended business firm went bankrupt and the store went up for sale [...]
The American colonists included large numbers of Germans, many of whom had initially been encouraged by William Penn to settle Pennsylvania, as he deliberately tried to attract Europeans who felt persecuted. By 1775, at least 100,000 Germans had entered the colonies, making up [...]
