Category: Culture
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On this Day… July 12th, 1973
Read more: On this Day… July 12th, 1973Above 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
Read more: West Reading High SchoolThe 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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Schell’s Mini-Golf, Restaurant and Dairy Swirl
Read more: Schell’s Mini-Golf, Restaurant and Dairy SwirlNothing 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
Read more: Blankenbiller’s DinerBlankenbiller’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
Read more: Old Iron Bridge Connecting Wyomissing & West LawnThis 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
Read more: Davis Dixie CupAnyone 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
Read more: Then & Now, The Abraham Lincoln HotelThe 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 Brewing Company
Read more: Sunshine Brewing CompanyThe 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
Read more: On this day June 18th 1966Above the fold in the June 18th, 1966 Reading Eagle
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West Wyomissing Foot Bridge
Read more: West Wyomissing Foot BridgeIn West Wyomissing, there used to be a pedestrian foot bridge that connected Morwood Avenue to Penn Avenue. It was built by the Reading Railroad in the early 1920s to help commuters who lived in West Wyo to get to the trolly lines on Penn Ave easily. A nearby establishment was Queen of the Valley Diner…
