Author: Alexa Freyman

  • On this Day… July 12th, 1973

    Above the fold in the July 12th, 1973 Reading Eagle   The Warren Street bypass begins to change as the Berkshire Mall begins to garner more traffic. The 4-lane State Hill Road bridge was replaced with a new structure that would carry 6 lanes, which we still use today. (click image to expand) Berks County…

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  • West Reading High School

    West Reading High School

    The West Reading High School building was built in 1914 at the corner of 4th and Franklin Streets. It was the beginning of the secondary education for youth in the Borough of West Reading. It housed 7th-12th grades. In 1923 an addition to the original building was added to accommodate an expanding population. An auditorium,…

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  • Then & Now – 1100 Block of Lancaster Ave

    Pictured is looking toward Reading on Lancaster Ave also known as 222 business. You may remember the Red Barn Restaurant, which then became a Chinese restaurant called Golden Chopsticks. It went out of business sometime in the early-mid 2010s.

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  • Schell’s Mini-Golf, Restaurant and Dairy Swirl

    Nothing says summertime like a trip to Schell’s for some minigolf and ice cream at the Dairy Swirl. Schell’s has been a landmark on 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township since 1952. Initially opened as just an ice cream shop by the Schell family, the 18 hole mini-golf course opened in May of 1953, and…

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  • Blankenbiller’s Diner

    Blankenbiller’s Diner sat on the corner of  Lancaster Ave and Museum Road in Shillington, across from the Shillington Diner. Currently, a Wallgreen’s and Wine  Spirits store strip mall sit in it’s place. For many years, this space was occupied by a Blockbuster Video store, CVS and Your Place restaurant and bar. I do not know…

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  • Old Iron Bridge Connecting Wyomissing & West Lawn

    This iron bridge was on 422/Penn Ave connecting Wyomissing and West Lawn. It was built in 1926 and replaced an older, smaller iron pony-truss bridge. Only two “overhead bowstring bridges” like it are known to have survived in the state of Pennsylvania.* One ended up being placed on the Horseshoe Trail at Scarlets Mill in…

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  • Davis Dixie Cup - Reading, PA

    Davis Dixie Cup

    Anyone remember where this place was? It appears this little building was called Davis Dixie Cup. On the sides not facing the viewer the facade appears to be marketing Smith’s Model Dairy Ice Cream, which was located in Hamburg PA. Do you have any idea where this ice cream stand sat? Bonus points if you…

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  • Then & Now, The Abraham Lincoln Hotel

    The Abraham Lincoln hotel was unveiled to the public with a weekend of activities that began on Friday, May 23, 1930 – echoing the glamour of the Roaring 20s yet on the brink of the Great Depression. This new hotel boasted 16 stories, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. Guests could stay at the…

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  • Sunshine Beer - Reading PA

    Sunshine Brewing Company

    The origins of Sunshine Brewing Company can be traced to Peter Barbey & Son Brewing which was established in 1880 at West Elm and Gordon Streets in Reading. Peter Barbey, who started his first brewing company in 1859, died in 1889, leaving the his son John at the helm of their joint venture. In 1933…

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  • On this day June 18th 1966

    Above the fold in the June 18th, 1966 Reading Eagle  

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Berks Nostalgia