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This view from the 1940s, looking east up Court Street in Reading. Pictured to the left is the Courthouse, notice the lights were lit atop the building. In fall 2012, the lights were discontinued due to the rising cost of operations and other factors. There are currently…
Below are aerial photos of Museum Road, looking toward West Reading. Pictured front and center is the Villa St. Elizabeth, “Home for the aged”. The Reading Public Museum can be seen further in the background, through some trees. Notice the then brand new Reading Hospital…
The Northmont School was built in 1922 and opened for Reading School District’s 1923-24 school year with six grades in each of its six classrooms. Kindergarten was added for the 1929-30 year but discontinued after 1935. In 1955 the Reading School District discontinued use of…
At the far left is the well-known Jimmie Kramer’s “Peanut Bar”, at 332 Penn St, besides which is Chubby’s Italian Sandwiches, a business also once operated on Lancaster Pike, beyond Shillington. This view dates from April 1st, 1969. pictures courtesy of the Passing Scene Today:
John F. Kennedy (JFK) made a campaign stop in Berks County PA on September 16th, 1960. He was a presidential candidate at the time of the visit, and went on to win the presidency. JFK spoke the a huge crowd in Penn Square after making…
Lake Ontelaunee is a 1,082-acre reservoir in Berks County, Pennsylvania owned by the City of Reading. The lake was created in 1926 by the damming of Maiden Creek to extend and improve the water supply to the city. A large dedication ceremony was held in 1929. In addition, the lake provides a venue for…
On this day 30 years ago – September 8th, 1987, a storm causes major flooding in Berks. According this Reading Eagle article, It was a Tuesday, Sept. 8, in 1987 when the deluge came. It was known as TD Nine. The meandering area of tropical…
Schmeck’s was a Pennside food market at the corner of Carsonia and Harvey Avenues. In December of 1970, owner Donald Schmeck sold his market to Earl Redner, founder of Redner’s food stores. He operated it as an IGA grocery store for some time before changing…
Reading’s Outer Station Reading’s Outer Station was opened in 1874 on 6th street between Buttonwood and Greenwich streets. Previously the city’s passenger station was a small waiting and room and ticket office on the northwest corner of 7th & Franklin Street. The Pennsylvania and Reading…
Executives of C.K. Whitner Co. hold the doors open for early-bird shoppers as Whitner’s new store in the Berkshire Mall formally opened today. The men are, left to right, James B. Mercer, vice president, F. Ward Coburn, treasurer, and Calvin K. Whitner, secretary. (Left)…