Temple Oheb Sholom Explosion – On this Day 1969

Temple Oheb Sholom

On Saturday night, May 24th 1969 someone detonated a small bomb behind the Temple Oheb Sholom on Perkiomen avenue in Reading. Windows were shattered all along the 200 block of South 13th Street, and the exact spot of detonation was quickly determined to be right behind the synagogue.

Temple Oheb Sholom
This is the front of the Temple Oheb Sholom behind which Saturday night’s blast occurred.
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Five Years

Downtown Reading 1970s

Hard to believe I launched this site half a decade ago today. As with any milestone it is time to reflect on the past five years of how my content has transformed and grown.

There are currently over 7000 of you following along between email subscriptions and social media platforms. This is roughly the digital equivalent of me standing on stage of a sold-out Santander Arena every time I publish something…but I try not to think about that too much.… Read Full Article

West Shore Bypass New Exchanges – 1963

On this day in the Reading Eagle – 1963

West Shore Bypass
West Shore Bypass

Traffic is rolling over the newly opened West Shore Bypass. Several motorists commented on the time saved in using the new road. One reported reaching the center of Reading from the bypass junction at the Philadelphia Pike in seven minutes, a saving of about 13 minutes. The ramps of the interchange at Lancaster avenue are shown at the bottom of the photo above and the cloverleaf at the western end of the Penn Street Bridge is shown at the top.Read Full Article

Santa Lands a Helicopter in City Park – On this day in 1955

Happy Thanksgiving Berks Nostalgiacs! The holiday season is here, so here is a peek back to that time that Santa Claus flew a helicopter and landed it at City Park in Reading. It happened on this day, November 25th, 1955.

Santa lands helicopter city park
Nov. 25th 1955 Reading Eagle

Two little girls served as a reception committee for Santa Claus after he landed his helicopter in City Park this morning.Read Full Article

Berks Nostalgia