Category: Members Only
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Old Rajah Temple | 525 Franklin Street
Read more: Old Rajah Temple | 525 Franklin StreetThe beginning of the local Rajah chapter dates to 1892 when the Berks County members of the Lulu Temple were tired of making the journey to Philadelphia to attend meetings. They decided to pursue a local charter with the national Rajah organization. In August of 1892 they were granted their charter and purchased the former…
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The Stouchsburg Murder and Berks County’s most Sensational Trial
Read more: The Stouchsburg Murder and Berks County’s most Sensational TrialOccasionally I come across a story so heinous that I can’t believe it has become largely unknown. Much falls away from public awareness over the passage of a century. The Stouchsburg murder on the evening of July 3rd, 1901 and subsequent trial and conviction played out over thirteen years, and became one of Berks County’s…
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Adeline Baver – One of Berks County’s oldest Unsolved Murders
Read more: Adeline Baver – One of Berks County’s oldest Unsolved MurdersThe 1857 unsolved murder of Adeline Baver is one that has echoed through time in the area of Mohrsville, Berks County. Her gravestone stands in the old Belleman’s Church graveyard. Written in stone is: Adeline Baver, born 15th of May, 1838, and murdered on 7th of October, 1857. Many have attempted at retelling the tale…
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Fleetwood’s Hand Grave
Read more: Fleetwood’s Hand GraveA follower directed me to the small, bizarre “hand stone” that sits in Fleetwood Cemetery along Arch and Laurel Streets. The writing on the stone has worn away in the 140 years since it was inscribed. However, with a little digging I was able to crack the mystery of J. Monroe Kelchner’s hand grave. According…
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Liberty Fire Co | Reading Area Firefighters Museum | 5th & Laurel
Read more: Liberty Fire Co | Reading Area Firefighters Museum | 5th & LaurelThe Liberty Fire Company was established on January 21st, 1854 to protect the southern section of the City. At that first meeting the members voted to name it the “Wyomissing Fire Company”, but at the next week’s meeting they changed it to “Liberty”. The City of Reading quickly purchased the lot on the southeastern corner…
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The Morbid Reality that Census Records teach us about Childhood Mortality
Read more: The Morbid Reality that Census Records teach us about Childhood MortalityCensus records are one of many genealogical resources that I utilize to bring you full accounts of Berks County’s architectural history. They help me confirm who lived in any given residence, and also provide context into their age, familial makeup and employment. While browsing some of Reading’s 1900 census records recently I noticed two boxes…
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Key to the City of Reading
Read more: Key to the City of ReadingToday is my 8th wedding anniversary and my husband always tries to stay on the traditional “theme” by year. This year is bronze, and I had been eyeing this Reading “Key to the City” on Ebay for a few weeks. It was listed at $250, which was more than I was willing to pay. Luckily…
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Red Caboose Park
Read more: Red Caboose ParkGrowing up I spent a lot of time at Red Caboose Park in West Wyomissing. My Grandmother lived at the corner of Reading Boulevard and Harrison Avenue above Owl’s Grove and Field. It was pretty much my second home. I was always fascinated by the big red authentic Caboose. The caboose always seemed like it…
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Turner Building – 100 South 4th Street
Read more: Turner Building – 100 South 4th StreetThere has been a bit of drama recently surrounding the property at 100 South 4th Street in Reading. The property was purchased in 2021 by Dream Ventures PA II LLC, front for Brooklyn-based developer Heights Advisors. This is the same investment company which currently owns the Luden Mansion/Central Catholic and the Santander office building at…
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Reading News Building Facade
Read more: Reading News Building FacadeThe Reading News building and its facade were constructed in 1912 for a brand new print publication at 22-24 North Fifth Street. In April 1912 the property, described as a three-story dwelling house, was purchased by local developer Wiliam A. Sharp. It is likely that Sharp was in charge of developing the structure into one…
