Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Duryea Drive

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009

1. Duryea Drive Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Reading, Pennsylvania
honors
Charles E. Duryea
Inventor and builder of
America's first gasoline automobile
1892
in Springfield, Massachusetts

The Duryea automobiles
which were manufactured in Reading
1900 - 1911
climbed Mount Penn in high gear
over this drive

Erected 1942 by The Historical Society of Berks County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 40° 20.172′ N, 75° 54.338′ W. Marker is in Reading, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. Marker is at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Duryea Drive, on the right when traveling south on Skyline Drive. Marker is immediately north of the Pagoda atop Mount Penn. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Reading PA 19602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pagoda (a few steps from this marker); Skyline Boulevard (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Duryea Drive

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Camel Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War II Victory (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Artillerists Oak (approx. 0.3 miles away); Submarine Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reading.

Also see . . .
1. Charles Duryea. (Submitted on December 5, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Charles Edgar Duryea at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on January 6, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Duryea Drive Marker at the Pagoda image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009

2. Duryea Drive Marker at the Pagoda

Atop Mount Penn, east of downtown Reading.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009

3. Duryea Drive Marker

Atop Mount Penn, east of downtown Reading.

View of Downtown Reading from the Pagoda image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009

4. View of Downtown Reading from the Pagoda

Looking west.

<i>Reading, Penna., Where Duryea First Proved Automobiles Could Consistently Climb Mountains</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1942

5. Reading, Penna., Where Duryea First Proved Automobiles Could Consistently Climb Mountains

Vintage postcard showing Duryea models and the historical marker before verdegris.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,021 times since then and 91 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 29, 2015. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on October 5, 2015.