Category: Culture
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Reading Hospital Photo Mystery
Read more: Reading Hospital Photo MysteryI got an email asking for help to solve the mystery of where the below photo was taken. The photo is of the back of the Reading Hospital around the time it was built in the mid-late 20s. I checked out a few aerial photos I have of the area from 1927 and 1940. Due…
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Paul’s Men’s Shop
Read more: Paul’s Men’s ShopPaul’s was a men’s clothing store at 527 Penn St in the 50s and 60s. Couldn’t find a date on when it closed. Today the building is occupied by a pizza place.
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On this day, 1985 – Downtown Pomeroy’s Closes
Read more: On this day, 1985 – Downtown Pomeroy’s ClosesPomeroy’s Department Store in downtown Reading closed in 1985 after 109 years in business on Penn Square. The business itself was sold to competitor BonTon who took over Pomeroy’s remaining location in the Berkshire Mall. Pomeroy’s history in downtown Reading dates back to 1876, when Josiah Dives, an Englishman, John Stewart, a Scot, and…
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Inside the Crystal Restaurant – 1960s
Read more: Inside the Crystal Restaurant – 1960sThe Crystal Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, well known on Penn Square, offers an excellent cuisine, fine service and delightful dining to hundreds of daily customers. Owned and founded by the Mantis Family, the restaurant recently celebrated it’s 50th anniversary with the opening of the elegant Anniversary Room. This beautiful dining room, with its fine appointments…
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Reading Public Museum – 1950s
Read more: Reading Public Museum – 1950sMrs. James Woodward enjoys an informal afternoon reading to a group of children on the spacious front lawn of the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery. The Museum and Gallery house an important collection of art masterpieces, as well as an impressive scientific and historic collection. A particularly appealing feature is the garden surrounding the…
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Kaleidoscope at Berkshire Mall
Read more: Kaleidoscope at Berkshire MallThe Kaleidoscope was a store in the Berkshire Mall in the 70s. It sold jewelry, black lights and other psychedelic things. You could also get your ears pierced there. Do you remember this store?
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DeLuca’s Camera Center
Read more: DeLuca’s Camera CenterDeluca’s Camera Center was originally located at 617 Penn Street in Reading. It was founded in 1947 by Louis and Antoinette DeLuca. The article above from June 1990 mentions that the store moved to 518 Penn Street from 520 Penn Street. However it mentions nothing about it’s original location on the 600 block. In the…
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The Berkshire Hotel
Read more: The Berkshire HotelMrs. James F. Bell II and Mrs. Charles M. Guthrie Jr. with her son, Charles M. III leaving the North Fifth Street entrance of the Berkshire Hotel, Reading after lunching in the Mural Room. The Murals in this lovely dining area depict the history of Berks County dating back to the times of George Washington.…
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600 Block Penn St – 1960s
Read more: 600 Block Penn St – 1960sImage from “Berks Countians; The Wonderful Way We Live” Stores pictured from left to right:Manning-Armstrong – Foot-Craft ShoesJ&T Brakelmann JewelersMinros – Golden Rule JewelersDaniel’sBeverlyDeLuca’s Camera CenterJ.C. MummaThom McAn Shoes
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“The Racers” Screening at the Astor -1955
Read more: “The Racers” Screening at the Astor -1955From Rotten Tomatoes; The CinemaScope process gets a rugged workout in Henry Hathaway’s The Racers. Kirk Douglas stars as an Italian bus driver who dreams of entering the Grand Prix as a world-famous race car driver. Being Kirk Douglas, he achieves his goal, racing in all the major events around the globe. Dedicated to the…
