Berks Nostalgia

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  • Fox North Theatre

    Opened as the Fox Theatre on 21, Aug. 1964 and  was located in the Muhlenberg Shopping Center on the 5th Street Highway (Rt.222), just north of Reading. The Fox Theatre was renamed the Fox North Theatre when Fox opened the Fox East Theatre on 3…

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  • Ritz Theatre

    The Ritz Theatre was located at 819 Penn Street, across from the Kissinger-Farmer’s Market. It was originally called the Crescent Theatre when it opened: The Crescent Theatre was opened in 1910. In 1913 it was renamed Princess Theatre. It was re-named Arcadia Theatre in 1928,…

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  • Farmers-Kissinger Market

    The Farmers-Kissinger Market sat on the 800 block of Penn Street, taking up the entire block to Cherry St in Reading. It was opened around Memorial day of 1871. In 1930, they opened a law suit against the city of Reading, due to a dispute…

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  • Court Street 1940s

    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…

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  • Museum Road – 1927 & Today

    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…

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  • Northmont School

    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…

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  • Chubby’s on Penn St 1969

    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:

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  • JFK Campaign Stop Berks | 1960

    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…

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  • Lake Ontelaunee – 1937 & now

    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…

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  • On this Day – September 8th 1987

    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…

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Berks Nostalgia