Category: Culture
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Danny’s Den and the Berks County Record…
Read more: Danny’s Den and the Berks County Record…I was sent this image a few months ago by a reader. The picture/content is interesting in itself, a relic of the 50s. However I noticed that it wasn’t from the standard Reading Eagle. It looks like there was some sort of weekly paper called the Berks County Record? It was formerly called the Reading…
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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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Fabian Theatre at the Berkshire Mall
Read more: Fabian Theatre at the Berkshire MallA single-screen cinema, the movie theatre in the Berkshire Mall, showed its first feature August 26, 1970. It sat where Firehouse Subs and Five Below are now. The venue would be in operation until 1982. From 1970-1973 it was owned by Fabian Theatre, 1973-1982 United Artists and called Movies 1 2 3. It was expanded across…
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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. The Mini-golf course opened in 1953, and was made larger in 1969. Many generations of Berks Countians have enjoyed summer evenings at this…
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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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Sinking Spring Railroad Station
Read more: Sinking Spring Railroad StationThe Sinking Spring Station served as a major pedestrian stop for many decades. My grandmother, who grew up on Columbia Ave in the 40s and 50s has fond memories of catching trains to Hershey or into the city. By the 70s the Station house was in disrepair. Eventually the Sinking Spring Historical Society moved the…
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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…
