This past summer I explored another of Reading’s long abandoned industrial spaces; 30 North 6th Street – directly across from the Courthouse. The bones of this building’s front section likely date to the 1840s. In its very beginnings it was utilized as a residential dwelling. Deeds from 1860 and 1880 describe it as a two-story dwelling and lot of ground. By this time it was used for commercial purposes, likely due to its proximity to the square and courthouse. Jacob Schmucker was operating his real estate business out of the property between 1862-1872.

In 1882 the property was purchased by William Coleman who used the front dwelling part of the structure as offices of “William Coleman and Son”, his business selling fire insurance. A large addition was added to the building around the same time in which he began utilizing as a “printing house“. By 1892 a third story was added to the old dwelling in the front.

Comparison above shows the block bounded by Court, 6th, Washington and Church streets in 1884 and today. The footprint of the printing house section of the building was expanded, likely in the 1910s.

Fred Woerner purchased the property in 1920 for his own printing business. By the time he acquired it the deed described the back section of the building as “two-story”, which means it had been increased to the entire width of the property, including the second story section above it. Woerner Printing operated out of this building until the mid-1980s, when it was sold again and utilized in a variety of business fronts, including most recently bail bonds shop until the current owner purchased it in 2017.

Jim Shenkweiler, the current owner of this property wants to create something out of it that benefits the community. Perhaps the large light wells and expansive windows which once allowed natural light for printing operations could aid in growing hydroponic crops to sell to local markets and eateries? How can we reimagine the future of these industrial spaces in a post-industrial society? Will be posting a full video walkthrough of this one this weekend with the owner explaining his vision.