The Hitching Post

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The Hitching Post was a very popular restaurant located in the Springmont section of West Lawn. Built in the 1930s, it was originally a Howard Johnson’s. It then became an establishment called the Imperial Club. Finally, it became the Hitching Post in the 1960s. Countless anniversaries, birthdays, organizational meetings and other celebrations were held here over the course of 4 decades.

The Hitching Post
The Hitching Post
The Hitching Post in 1975

When it opened as the Hitching Post it was owned by Charles Schwambach, who also owned the Queen of the Valley Diner, located east up Penn Avenue by the old Iron Bridge.

The Hitching Post
1958 Aerial of Howard Johnson’s
2017 Google Map Aerial

The restaurant in West Lawn closed its doors in mid-1997.

The Hitching Post
inside the Hitching Post dining room

Redevelopment

In February 1999 Wawa finalized development plans for a Wawa Convenience store to be built on the site of the Hitching Post, and in July they purchased it.

A third Wawa convenience store in Berks County – the site of the long-vacant Hitching Post Restaurant in Spring Township – is expected to be completed by the end of the year, creating 25 to 30 new jobs, says a Wawa official.

The Hitching Post
Reading Eagle July 27th 1999

Wawa opened it’s West Lawn location shortly after New Year 2000. Not everyone was happy with Wawa’s rampant takeover of Berks.

January 2000 Reading Eagle

As much as I love Wawa, maybe Kyle has a point. We sacrifice history for convenience all the time. Many of these places that take us back to a different time are gone, but my goal with Berks Nostalgia is to make sure they are never forgotten.

A Revival of The Hitching Post

The Hitching Post returned in 2011, under a new generation of the Zeppos family, who owned it in West Lawn from 1979-1991. It is located in Bern Township along Route 183. It is still in business today and has great reviews.

The Hitching Post
January 2011 Reading Eagle


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Todd C Jeffries
Todd C Jeffries
4 years ago

I think Kyle Kemp’s letter is on point – once we tear down historic buildings, we lose that connection with the past while transforming our local community into the same hodgepodge of ugly, soulless buildings that unfortunately has become the American landscape. Thanks, Alexa, for helping to keep the memories alive through your efforts. I don’t know if journalism is your occupation but you have the skills for it; it’s too bad the future for good journalists looks challenging.

Paul Miller
Paul Miller
4 years ago

This is correct that the building was originally built as a Howard Johnson’s but goes back possibly to the 1930’s or so. It was not successful because their pricing didn’t compete with the smaller local eateries. It became the Imperial Club which is recalled operating back to at least the 1950’s and 1960’s and is believed to be the party who sold it to the Schwambach’s to convert to the Hitching Post.

GREGORY J. MCULLOUGH
GREGORY J. MCULLOUGH
3 years ago

good job!


Berks Nostalgia