Category: Downtown
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4th & Penn, Before & After CNA
Read more: 4th & Penn, Before & After CNABefore 4th and Penn was torn down in 1980 to give way for the construction of CNA, there were multiple businesses on the block. On the corner all the way on the left was Saylor Food, a fresh produce and goods store. To the right of that was a State Liquor store, which was once…
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The Strand Theatre – 9th & Spring St.
Read more: The Strand Theatre – 9th & Spring St.Located at the corner of NE 9th Street & Spring Street. The Strand Theatre was opened February 21, 1920. By 1941 it was owned and operated by Goldman Theatres of Philadelphia. It was a fairly large theatre with a balcony, and had a huge wrap-around neon lit marquee. For years it was a neighborhood double…
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Sights of North Side Penn Street in the 1940s
Read more: Sights of North Side Penn Street in the 1940sPenn Street – North Side – 400 Block….1940s…Reading: We look to the Northeast corner to the landmark Saylor food business stand. In the foreground is car 809 as it appeared in 1947, end-of-the-line year for city trolleys. Looking to the background is an imposing grey-stone structure built as Reading Girls’ High School. At this juncture,…
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Franklin Street Station
Read more: Franklin Street StationThe Franklin Street Station served the railroad from 1930 until 1981 when SEPTA diesel service ceased operations. From 1981 until 2013, the building sat vacant until BARTA acquired and refurbished the building for bus services. The plan was to alleviate overcrowded services at the BARTA Transportation Center located about a block away. –Wikipedia Barta refurbished the building, but it…
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600 Block Penn Street, North Side 1941
Read more: 600 Block Penn Street, North Side 1941Penn Street….600 Block, north side…..READING: – Taken Around 1941, we see parts of 653 to 665 Penn. Faintly and partly visible on the extreme left is Lowe’s Theatre. Hardly visible next door is Robette Hats at 661- Followed by Sterns at 663 and Carlson Hats and Shoes at 665. Notice the railroad gate on the…
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Berks County Christmas – Day 18 – Remnants of Toyland
Read more: Berks County Christmas – Day 18 – Remnants of ToylandThe 5’6″ Santa below stood in Pomeroy’s famous 6th floor “Toyland”.Do you remember this Santa from your visits to Toyland as a child? Apparently some Berks County resident inherited the Santa, and was curious on what it was worth, but needs proof that it indeed was from Pomeroy’s Toyland. You can read the dialog from…
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Berks County Christmas – Day 15 – Snowfall
Read more: Berks County Christmas – Day 15 – Snowfall400 block of Penn Street in the 1940s after a light snow fall. We see Shaffer Furniture Co, a State Liquor Store in the former mansion that was demolished in May 1980, Acme Market, Ramos Brothers Hat Cleaning, Charles Auto Supply, and Sunshine Inn (formerly Barbey’s). Picture from The Passing Scene
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Berks County Christmas – Day 14 – Christmas Tree
Read more: Berks County Christmas – Day 14 – Christmas TreeFourteenth Day of Christmas – yet another shot of the Christmas tree standing in the center of the circle at 5th and Penn Streets downtown. 1940s
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Berks County Christmas – Day 13 – Whitner’s Display
Read more: Berks County Christmas – Day 13 – Whitner’s DisplayThirteenth Day of Christmas – If you were walking down Penn Street past Whitner’s in the 1960s, you might see this display in the window.
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Berks County Christmas – Day 12 – 6th and Penn
Read more: Berks County Christmas – Day 12 – 6th and PennThe Twelfth day of Christmas – Cars pack Penn Street between 5th and 6th streets in the 1950s, as shoppers look for Christmas gifts. If there’s one thing hasn’t changed in the past 60+ years, its the swarm of shopping during the holiday season!
