Category: 1930s

  • Lake Ontelaunee – 1937 & now

    Lake Ontelaunee is a 1,082-acre reservoir in Berks County, Pennsylvania owned by the City of Reading. The lake was created in 1926 by the damming of Maiden Creek to extend and improve the water supply to the city. A large dedication ceremony was held in 1929. In addition, the lake provides a venue for hunters, fishermen, and hikers. The lake supports a large and…

    Read more: Lake Ontelaunee – 1937 & now
  • Northeast Reading – 1931 & Now

    Below are two aerial shots of the same area, in 1931 and today. The view is looking at Hampden Park (bottom right), once a reservoir and now a sports field.  Hampden Boulevard is the street to it’s left that bears right going northeast.  13th street is left of Hampton blvd, heading north.

    Read more: Northeast Reading – 1931 & Now
  • Reading Hospital Garden Party

    The Reading Hospital Garden Party has been a staple event in June for over 80 years. Though, some might say it is not the event it once was. The purpose of the event is to raise money for a variety of medical causes. Did you ever attend this event? A look into the Garden Party of…

    Read more: Reading Hospital Garden Party
  • The Sinking Spring Dairy Company

    Nothing to be found online about the Sinking Spring Dairy Co. It was established in 1924 and changed names to the Independent Dairy Co in 1933. It was located at what is now 333 South Hull St. Have information on this company/place? Please get in touch- [email protected]

    Read more: The Sinking Spring Dairy Company
  • Then & Now, Buttonwood Street Bridge

    The Buttonwood St. Bridge was built in 1931 to connect the Northwest part of Reading with West Reading, near where Wyomissing Industries were located.  $225,000 was donated to the bridge project by Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen, whom were owners of the huge textile mills in Wyomissing. They believed this bridge would help their workers who…

    Read more: Then & Now, Buttonwood Street Bridge
  • Reading’s Comfort Stations at 5th & Penn

    The Comfort Stations at 5th & Penn were essentially public restrooms that included toilets, showers, weight scales, 14 wash bowls with liquid soap, and pay compartments all of which seemed quite luxurious for when it was introduced in February of 1922. The showers and pay compartments cost 25 and 10 cents. Comfort stations became extremely…

    Read more: Reading’s Comfort Stations at 5th & Penn
  • The Shillington Diner

    The Shillington Diner can trace its roots back to the farmers market located at Museum Road and Lancaster Ave that opened in 1935. The Shillington Diner (later Restaurant) was built onto the market at 100 W Lancaster Ave and opened in 1948. In the beginning it just sold simple lunch foods for hungry customers visiting…

    Read more: The Shillington Diner
Berks Nostalgia