Author: Alexa Freyman
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Miracle Mart – 2101 Centre Ave
Read more: Miracle Mart – 2101 Centre AveMiracle Mart was a 50,000 square foot department store on Route 61/Centre Ave in North Reading. There is very little information online about Miracle Mart or its origins, besides that there was a more well-documented and unrelated Canadian department store chain by the same name. Looking at aerial photos of the area leads me to…
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Happy Thanksgiving! November 28th, 1974
Read more: Happy Thanksgiving! November 28th, 1974Thanksgiving Day also fell on November 28th in 1974. Here is a look at that day’s Reading Eagle: Walter S. Shearer, who owns a poultry farm in Sinking Spring R.D. 6, holds one of his flock. To find out what eventually happened to this turkey turn to page 31 – Eagle Photo That homemade taste…
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On this day – Nov 24th, 1993 – Cumru Township Gas Explosion
Read more: On this day – Nov 24th, 1993 – Cumru Township Gas ExplosionA water pumping station along Old Lancaster Pike in Cumru Township owned by Citizens Utilities Water Co. was destroyed in an explosion Tuesday night, leveling the structure to concrete slabs. The force of the explosion, heard up to five miles away, blew the doors off the building through the containment fence. “Fearing that the blast…
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On this day Nov 18th, 1959
Read more: On this day Nov 18th, 1959Future site of Western Electric purchased in Muhlenberg Township TV Stereo Advertisement from Pomeroys Dance to your favorite records plated on the 4-speed automatic record changer or simple add the space-saving stereo amplifier unit and enjoy life-like realism of stereophonic sound. Or just relax and enjoy this big-screen TV. Yours now for the first time…
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On this Day – October 16th, 1959
Read more: On this Day – October 16th, 1959Above the fold in the Oct 16th 1959 Reading Eagle: Goodbye, Tower Hotel Outside razing work by city workmen is now under way on the Tower Hotel on the crest of Mt. Penn. All usable wood and stone from the historic structure will be stored for future city use. A pavilion is scheduled to be…
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Berkenstock Store – “Berky’s”
Read more: Berkenstock Store – “Berky’s”If you grew up in Sinking Spring during the 40s, 50, 60s, or 70s you probably remember Berkenstock’s Store, or just called it, “Berky’s” or “Fern’s”*. It opened August 1st 1941. The people who have mentioned it to me specifically remember it being a candy store and calling it Berky’s. There is absolutely no information…
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On this Day – September 30th, 1974
Read more: On this Day – September 30th, 1974Above the fold in the Sept 30th, 1974 Reading Eagle: Wagons Moved from Original Gruber Works Grounds On the Way -Wagons produced near the turn of the century are moved out of the Gruber Wagon Works along the Bernville Road, Route 183, in Penn Township. The county moved the wagons and will store them until…
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Penn Square Reading
Read more: Penn Square ReadingIf you hear someone refer to Penn Square in Reading, they are speaking of the 400 and 500 blocks of Penn Street with the center being 5th Street. It marks the center of downtown Reading, which used to be adorned with shops on both sides of the street. Below downtown Reading is pictured in the…
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Seafood Shanty
Read more: Seafood ShantyThe Seafood Shanty was a popular restaurant in Berks County for 23 years. It was technically a chain, with other locations being around the greater Philadelphia area and into New Jersey. The first location in Berks was opened in Exeter township on Perkiomen Avenue. The second location was opened on Penn Avenue in West Lawn.…
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Perkiomen Avenue – 1978
Read more: Perkiomen Avenue – 1978Flash back to Perkiomen Avenue in 1978. Apparently this was an area prone to accidents. Popular places of the past pictured are King Hamburgers, Fecera’s Furnture, Sweet William Restaurant and Pathmark. Drivers Beware – Uncontrolled intersection, confusing entrances and exits, and the lack of a median strip make this five-mile stretch of the Philadelphia Pike…
