For Sale: Bridges, In As-Is Condition

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you believe one road’s trash can be another’s treasure, PennDOT has a bridge to sell you.

It’s on Christman Road, connecting Greenwich and Richmond townships over the Saucony Creek.

The 117-year-old span, known as Hummel’s Bridge, was a pioneer in its time.  It had pony truss construction that ushered in an era of similar bridges.

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission consider it “historically and technologically significant.”

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=471598

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