Category: 1900s

  • Spring Street Subway

    In 1909, the city leaders celebrated with much fanfare the opening of the Spring Street Subway, a rail bridge that eliminated a dangerous Reading Railroad crossing – first for pedestrians and later for cars. The Reading Railroad was well established in the area before city engineers considered building the subway. So to construct it, crews…

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  • Berkshire Knitting Mill

    Berkshire Knitting Mills

    In 1892, “Textile Machine Works” was founded by Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen on Cedar Street in Reading. In 1896 they accepted an offer to relocate to Wyomissing, where they were sold a site for $1, in hopes their industry would spur interest in building lots. In 1899 they incorporated as the “Reading Glove and…

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  • Cleveland Ave, Wyomissing, 1905

    Pictured below is Cleveland Avenue in Wyomissing. These photos are courtesy of Wendy Sims. Her grandparent’s bought the house pictured in all of these images, 1173 Cleveland Avenue. As you can see, what is now quite a built up Wyomissing was just starting to be born around the turn of the 20th century. Thanks to Wendy for sharing…

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