Category: Towns

  • Farmers-Kissinger Market

    The Farmers-Kissinger Market sat on the 800 block of Penn Street, taking up the entire block to Cherry St in Reading. It was opened around Memorial day of 1871. In 1930, they opened a law suit against the city of Reading, due to a dispute about the market building a driveway across the sidewalk of…

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  • Court Street 1940s

    This view from the 1940s, looking east up Court Street in Reading. Pictured to the left is the Courthouse, notice the lights were lit atop the building. In fall 2012, the lights were discontinued due to the rising cost of operations and other factors. There are currently efforts to get the lights relit to their former glory.…

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  • Museum Road – 1927 & Today

    Below are aerial photos of Museum Road, looking toward West Reading.  Pictured front and center is the Villa St. Elizabeth, “Home for the aged”. The Reading Public Museum can be seen further in the background, through some trees. Notice the then brand new Reading Hospital building in the top center. Most of Wyomissing was not…

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  • Northmont School

    The Northmont School was built in 1922 and opened for Reading School District’s 1923-24 school year with six grades in each of its six classrooms. Kindergarten was added for the 1929-30 year but discontinued after 1935. In 1955 the Reading School District discontinued use of the building, but leased the building to Muhlenberg Township for…

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  • Chubby’s on Penn St 1969

    At the far left is the well-known Jimmie Kramer’s “Peanut Bar”, at 332 Penn St, besides which is Chubby’s Italian Sandwiches, a business also once operated on Lancaster Pike, beyond Shillington. This view dates from April 1st, 1969. pictures courtesy of the Passing Scene Today:

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  • Lake Ontelaunee – 1937 & now

    Lake Ontelaunee is a 1,082-acre reservoir in Berks County, Pennsylvania owned by the City of Reading. The lake was created in 1926 by the damming of Maiden Creek to extend and improve the water supply to the city. A large dedication ceremony was held in 1929. In addition, the lake provides a venue for hunters, fishermen, and hikers. The lake supports a large and…

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  • Schmeck’s Food Market

    Schmeck’s was a Pennside food market at the corner of Carsonia and Harvey Avenues. In December of 1970, owner Donald Schmeck sold his market to Earl Redner, founder of Redner’s food stores. He operated it as an IGA grocery store for some time before changing the name to the standard “Redner’s”. Today it is still…

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  • Reading’s Outer Station and Swinging Bridge

    Reading’s Outer Station Reading’s Outer Station was opened in 1874 on 6th street between Buttonwood and Greenwich streets. Previously the city’s passenger station was a small waiting and room and ticket office on the northwest corner of 7th & Franklin Street. The Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad was the veins of the newly budding industrial city,…

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  • Fleetwood Centennial Celebration August 1973

    Fleetwood Centennial Celebration Fleetwood was founded in 1873, and celebrated it’s first 100 years which a week’s worth of festivities between August 19th to 26th, 1973. They held a large parade down Main Street, Fleetwood. The video above shows a great deal of that very parade. The welcome sign pictured below, pays homage to Fleetwood’s…

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  • On this Day – August 17th, 1976

    Above the fold in the August 17th, 1976 Reading Eagle Local girl is crowned bowling champion.. Issues arise with city development… Kutztown Fair kicks off… Microwaving…the next big thing?

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