Category: 1950s

  • On this day Nov 18th, 1959

    Future site of Western Electric purchased in Muhlenberg Township TV Stereo Advertisement from Pomeroys Dance to your favorite records plated on the 4-speed automatic record changer or simple add the space-saving stereo amplifier unit and enjoy life-like realism of stereophonic sound. Or just relax and enjoy this big-screen TV. Yours now for the first time…

    Read more: On this day Nov 18th, 1959
  • On this Day – October 16th, 1959

    Above the fold in the Oct 16th 1959 Reading Eagle: Goodbye, Tower Hotel Outside razing work by city workmen is now under way on the Tower Hotel on the crest of Mt. Penn. All usable wood and stone from the historic structure will be stored for future city use. A pavilion is scheduled to be…

    Read more: On this Day – October 16th, 1959
  • Berkenstock's Store Sinky

    Berkenstock Store – “Berky’s”

    If you grew up in Sinking Spring during the 40s, 50, 60s, or 70s you probably remember Berkenstock’s Store, or just called it, “Berky’s” or “Fern’s”*. It opened August 1st 1941. The people who have mentioned it to me specifically remember it being a candy store and calling it Berky’s. There is absolutely no information…

    Read more: Berkenstock Store – “Berky’s”
  • 4th of July 1969

    4th of July Through the Decades

    1957 West Reading’s Fourth of July celebration yesterday was a double event. Besides celebrating the holiday the citizens and various organizations in the borough joined in a program in observation of the borough’s 50th anniversary. A spectacular feature of the day was the parade which was held in the morning. Shown above is one of…

    Read more: 4th of July Through the Decades
  • Woolworth’s – Penn Street / Berkshire Mall

    Woolworth’s 6th and Penn Reading store was opened on September 20th, 1884, under the name, “Woolworth & Knox”. It was just three doors down Penn Street across from 6th street from the successful Pomeroy’s department store and later moved to the Berkshire Mall. Woolworth’s moved to the Berkshire Mall when it opened in 1970, as…

    Read more: Woolworth’s – Penn Street / Berkshire Mall
  • Shillington High School

    Shillington High School

    In 1925, the new Shillington High School was constructed on East Lancaster Avenue on land that was part of the Berks County Almshouse complex. An addition of twelve rooms was completed in 1930 and four more rooms were completed in 1936. Their sports teams were known as the Shillington Speeders. Boys teams adopted the name…

    Read more: Shillington High School
  • Easter Sunday – 1957

    The last time Easter Sunday fell on April 21st was 1957. Here is a look at that day’s Reading Eagle. Among the egg hunts held for children throughout the city and county to mark the Easter season was the event held by the Berks Athletic Club at it’s home in Rockland Township. The ringing of…

    Read more: Easter Sunday – 1957
  • Reading Public Museum – 1950s

    Mrs. 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…

    Read more: Reading Public Museum – 1950s
  • “The Racers” Screening at the Astor -1955

    From 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…

    Read more: “The Racers” Screening at the Astor -1955
  • Freeman’s Esso – Sinking Spring – 1954

    Anyone know where this gas station stood? The addresses have changed since the 50s so it doesn’t pinpoint a location, though I’m thinking on the corner of Penn and Cacoosing Ave’s, where Lesher’s Service Center once stood.

    Read more: Freeman’s Esso – Sinking Spring – 1954
Berks Nostalgia