Coraopolis Rallies To Save Train Station

Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At first glance, the Coraopolis Railroad Station appears rundown, but a closer look reveals a piece of history that Coraopolis residents have rallied to save.

Named by Preservation Pennsylvania this year as one of the most endangered historical sites in the state, the train station was built in 1895 in Richardsonian Romanesque style based on a design by architects Shepley Rutan and Coolidge.

About eight years ago, four families who wanted to help restore the station bought the building that had been abandoned about 30 years ago and began what came to be known as the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation. The organizers are planning a video, an online fundraising campaign and other efforts.

Read more: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/alleghenyneighborhoods/alleghenyneighborhoodsmore/5850769-74/station-coraopolis-town#ixzz31nfMKYAL
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Reading Neighborhood Named Historic District

A 1947 topographic map of the Reading, Pennsylvania area. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After four years of work, it’s official: The Heights Conservation District in northeast Reading has been approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as a historic district.

But one with a kinder, gentler set of rules that now can be implemented.

“It’s a very huge sense of accomplishment,” said Amy Johnson, the city’s historic preservation specialist who worked with the neighborhood organizing committee and the museum commission.

The district is composed of College Heights, Hampden Heights and the areas around them. It’s bounded by Oak Lane and Robeson, Rockland and 13th streets, and includes most of Hampden Park.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=420978

Deal Reached On John Updike Home Sale

John Updike giving the 2008 Jefferson Lecture for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Found via USAsearch.gov]. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The John Updike Society has signed an agreement to buy for $200,000 the late author’s childhood home in Shillington, Pa.

James Plath, president of the 250-member society, said in a press release Wednesday that the agreement is contingent upon receiving a zoning variance to operate the house as a historic site.

Updike lived in the two-story home at 117 Philadelphia Ave. for the first 13 years of his life before moving to a family homestead in Plowville.

The author, who died in 2009, was heralded for his literary style and prolific output, including the four “Rabbit” novels, which often evoked Berks County places and geography. The last two, “Rabbit is Rich” in 1981 and “Rabbit at Rest” a decade later, won Pulitzer Prizes for fiction.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=385289