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Pottstown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Reading Passenger Station

Historic Pottstown Walking Tour

 
 
Reading Passenger Station Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
1. Reading Passenger Station Marker
Inscription.
When people learned of the railroad coming to Pottstown in the 1830's, the two rival hotel keepers, John Boyer and Joshua B. Missimer, vied for their business by building hotels on either side of the railroad tracks. Both lost out. In 1939 [sic - 1839], the railroad built a small depot just west of Missimer's Hotel. After a short time the depot became too small, so the railroad bought Missimer's Hotel for $10,000 and turned the small depot into a baggage and express office. This hotel, the first building on the site, served as Pottstown's passenger station for almost a century with but a few alterations.

In 1925, the Reading Railroad started buying properties on the south side of the tracks and in 1928, began demolishing the hotel to make way for the present edifice. The building was dedicated on November 6, 1929. Attending the ceremonies were Charles W. Ewing of Philadelphia, Vice President of the Reading Railroad, and several other company officials who joined borough dignitaries in a parade from The Station where the Shop Band played, down High Street to Washington Street. They then counter-marched to Pomeroy's Tea Room for a luncheon.

The building is of Seasholtzville granite of a pink hue, laid in a broken range ashlar with level beds and vertical joints. The base is of New England granite, while the trim and
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cornice are of ornamental terra cotta. The former passenger station and freight office were connected by a corridor. The total cost of the structure was $250,000.
— David R. Kerns
 
Erected 2002 by Pottstown 250th Anniversary Committee.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceLandmarksNotable BuildingsRailroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1793.
 
Location. 40° 14.718′ N, 75° 39.096′ W. Marker is in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. Marker is near the SW corner of the Smith Family Plaza, about 75 feet NE of the former passenger station. The station is south of High Street, bounded on east and west by Hanover Street and York Street, respectively. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pottstown PA 19464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Shuler House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Security Trust Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Weitzenkorn's Clothiers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Iron Bridge (about 400 feet away); St. Clair Mansion (about 400 feet away); Freight Station - AAA East Penn (about 500 feet away); The Pottstown News
Reading Passenger Station and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
2. Reading Passenger Station and Marker
Looking SW from the Smith Family Plaza.
(about 500 feet away); The Elks Home (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pottstown.
 
Also see . . .  The Reading Railroad and Pottstown. (Submitted on October 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
 
Original Reading RR Passenger Station Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
3. Original Reading RR Passenger Station Photo on Marker
Former Missimer's Hotel.
Original Reading RR Passenger Station Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
4. Original Reading RR Passenger Station Photo on Marker
Former Missimer's Hotel.
Former Reading Railroad Passenger Station image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
5. Former Reading Railroad Passenger Station
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,075 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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Mar. 19, 2024