Location Detail

Location Name Downtown Reading

Location Description In 1748, the town was laid out by Thomas and Richard Penn, the sons of William Penn. The name was chosen after Penn's own county seat, Reading, in Berkshire, England. During the French and Indian war, Reading became a military base for a chain of forts along the Blue Mountains. By the time of the American Revolution, the local iron industry had a total production that exceeded that of England. Reading became a major industrial and transportation hub during the Industrial Revolution and by the 1870's the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was the largest corporation in the world. Today Reading offers a diverse mixture of business and cultures. For 32 years, The Berks Jazz Fest has been one of the most prolific festivals of its kind, drawing world-renowned musicians and nearly 30,000 visitors from all over the world for the 10-day festival.

Current Use

Location Address Penn St.

Location City Reading

Location Zip 19601

Latitude 40.33565609998105

Longitude -75.92722366604205

Location Attributes Downtown

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