Berks Nostalgia

Category: 1960s

  • Reading Rug Company – Lancaster Ave

    Reading Rug Co, pictured in 1961, was located on Lancaster Ave. As far as I can tell Reading Rug Co no longer exists, though it at the time boasted it was one of the most outstanding carpet specialist in the United States. I’m not sure of it’s exact location, but it appears it could be…

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  • The Milk Man – Muhlenberg Dairy

    Ah, the milkman, fresh milk to your doorstep daily. A service that hasnt been utilized in at least 3+ decades, yet everyone has heard the term. How many of you still have your milkbox laying around? According to the Berks History Center website, “In 1907, the dairy industry began to flourish in Berks County with…

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  • On this Day – Reading Pattern Works Fire 1964

    The Reading Pattern Works was a factory that made parts for the railroad, and was located at 715 Clinton Street. On October 27th, 1964 it suffered a fire. Today, the Pattern Works building is home to Reading Art Works, and is used as an event space.

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  • Ye Olde Spring House

    Ye Olde Spring House

    The Ye Olde Spring House building is now Bean Funeral Home, and its address is 3825 Penn Avenue.  The restaurant’s address was formerly 425 Penn Avenue. According to Bean’s website, “Our Sinking Spring funeral home has a fascinating history. The two story early-colonial structure was constructed in 1802 as a farmhouse, and was used through…

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  • Boston House Restaurant – 950 Penn Street

    The Boston Restaurant opened in 1927. It was owned by Gust L. Hatza and his father, Louis. It was the former Marathon Restaurant, 807 Penn St. The restaurant was later moved to 950 Penn St. and renamed The Boston House in 1951. It suffered a fire in 1967 but stayed in business. It still remains…

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  • Galen Hall Resort Fire

    “South Mountain, in the mid-19th century, became a popular place for venture capitalists to open resorts”, said Paul Miller, a Sinking Spring historian who has studied the mountain’s history. It was believed that the fresh mountain air out in that area had powers of restoration. “People were building up there because of the mountain air…

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  • Two Guys Department Store

    Two Guys Department Store

    Two Guys was a discount store founded in 1946 by New Jersey brothers Sidney and Herbert Hubschman. This location in Shillington was constructed during the summer of 1962. The entire company went defunct by 1982, so I am guessing this store location shuttered sometime shortly before then. These photos below were sent in by Ron…

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  • Queen of the Valley Diner

    The Queen of the Valley Diner was opened in 1954 at 1730 Penn Avenue in Wyomissing Hills, and sat just down from the old Iron Bridge that crossed the railroad. It was opened and first operated by a man named Clyde F. Snyder. Later it was bought by Charles and Gloria Schwambach. The Schwambach’s later…

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  • Inside Pomeroy’s in the 60s

    These photos were sent in by Ron Shurr, he worked in the Camera department at Pomeroy’s in the early 60s and had a passion for photography. Thanks for sharing these, Ron. A few memories from Ron: I worked in the camera department, my first job out of high school. Photography was a hobby and was…

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Berks Nostalgia