The Grand Hotel Fire – On this Day 1953

The Grand Hotel, on the northwest corner of Seventh and Franklin Streets, and the Weidner and Bucks magazine store on the right show no outward signs of a fire in which one man died, two others were sent to a hospital and $22,500 damage resulted early today. The fire was confined to the interior of the hotel in about the center of the structure, and to the roof and third floor of the magazine store.Read Full Article

The Deadly Berkshire Knitting Mills Strike – Part 5 – The Conclusion

What a better time to wrap this up than Labor Day weekend? If you haven’t, read the first four parts for context.


As the weeks following the general hosiery strike played out, Berks County’s other 21 knitting mills folded one after another into signing agreements with the American Federation of Hosiery Workers.

Rosedale plant was a particular source of contention – the sit-down strikers occupied the building for over two weeks while management tried to get them out.… Read Full Article

The Deadly Berkshire Knitting Mills Strike of 1936 – Part 4

This is the 4th part in the series. Read parts 1, 2 & 3 for context.


Secretary of Labor Report on the Berkshire Conditions

Shortly after the deadly first day of picketing, Governor Earle tasked Pennsylvania Labor Secretary Ralph M. Bashore with investigating the strike that was taking place at the Berkshire Knitting Mills. By October 20th, his account was made public.… Read Full Article

Pomeroy’s Proposed Expansion – On this Day 1957

Pomeroy's expansion 1957

An architect’s drawing of the proposed $1,500,000 expansion and modernization project at Pomeroy’s, Inc., is shown in the top photo, while below inside the outlined area, are the five buildings which will be razed and the diner, at 6th and Cherry streets, which will be moved to make way for the new construction. (Eagle Staff Photo)

Pomeroy's expansion 1957

Pomeroy’s expansion planning and acquisition of the adjacent structures south of it on Sixth Street took roughly three years.… Read Full Article

The Deadly Berkshire Knitting Mill Strike of 1936 – Part 3

The Reading 100 Machine - Berkshire Knitting Mill

This is the third part in a series that will be concluded at a later date. Consider subscribing to receive an email alert when it is published. If you haven’t, read parts one & two for context.


In the wake of the violence on Thursday October 1st, 1936, the weekend kicked off surprisingly calm. Calls for peace and mediation were made by various local business leaders and the Pennsylvania Governor himself.Read Full Article

Berks Nostalgia