Ronco’s Pharmacy

Ronco's Pharmacy
Penn Avenue location in West Lawn in 1975

Michael Ronco, RPh first opened his pharmacy in June of 1956. The original pharmacy was located at the corner of Dwight Street and Cleveland Avenue in West Lawn. In 1967, the pharmacy moved to 3311 Penn Avenue in West Lawn, where it remained for nearly half a century.

Michael retired from his pharmacy business in 2014, and passed away in 2015.… Read Full Article

West Reading Diner

The West Reading Diner is a piece of Berks County Americana. It was established in the 1930s on the 400 block of Penn Avenue in West Reading. All the articles I can find online say it was established in 1950. Perhaps it changed hands in ownership in 1950. The sign in the below picture indications ownership as “Cooper’s”.

West Reading Diner
West Reading Diner in 1948

The original structure was actually located closer to the current GNA building where the parking lot for today’s structure sits.… Read Full Article

Amity High School

Amity High School
Amity High School
Amity High School, pictured in 1940

Amity High School was located in Amityville, right off of old Swede Road. I can find no information on when it was built.

Amity High School
Amity High School Library

Sports at Amity High included a Boy’s Basketball team, a Girl’s Basketball team, Baseball team, as well as Girl’s and Boy’s track teams. Other activities included Glee Club and Girl Reserve Club.… Read Full Article

Wilson High School

Wilson High pictured in 1930 shortly after completion

The original Wilson High School building was erected in 1929 on Grandview Boulevard above West Lawn. The first school year started in Fall 1929 and housed 7th-12th grades. The name of the school was chosen in the hope that the life of the man in whose honor it was named, Woodrow Wilson, might serve as an ideal for the young people attending it.… Read Full Article

Berks Nostalgia