In and around Reading, PA

It is easy to step out of your Reading apartment and see the sights, and the Reading area has quite a few sights to behold. This picture, taken by Stinkfoot, shows a view of the downtown from a tourist attraction called the Fire Tower. I think I can see my Reading apartment from here….(just kidding!). But a short distance away I find the coolest attraction in the area: The Pagoda.

Love this picture by Ethan Carl. The Pagoda was built near the turn of the century by William Abbott Witman. He hired his friend Charles C. Matz to build this wonderous structure on 10 acres of the southern tip of Mt. Penn.

The Pagoda, when built, was intended to be a luxury hotel. Mr. Witman was inspired by a post-card sent by Matz, and the magestic red brick and tile structure was built in the style of a Shogun Dynasty battle castle. There is nothing else like it in the United States. But Mr. Witman was not granted a license to serve liquor by the state, so the hotel plans never materialized. Instead this feat of architecture stood empty, and eventually fell into the hands of a local bank. The Pagoda then became owned by the City of Reading shortly afterward. It was used as a signaling tower before radio became commonplace. Now it is one of Reading, Pennsylvania’s biggest attractions. Come out of your Reading apartment for a while and drive up to see this one-of-a-kind castle.

There is so much to enjoy living in the Reading community…

Lovely waterways and recreations areas for taking a picnic.
Images by Janet Sobczak.

And in the evening, why not take a short drive north and visit The Christmas Village in Bernville. Leaving your Reading apartment will be a treat any time of the year as this little shopping town boasts of everything with a Christmas theme. Christmas year around – who could want more?!