Pagoda - Reading, PA
Posted by: 
ars5017
N 40° 20.163 W 075° 54.334
18T E 423080 N 4465450
The Pagoda sits atop Mt Penn in the City of Reading.
Waymark Code: WMEEXY
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 05/19/2012
Views: 21
This Japanese Pagoda building is situated atop Mt Penn in Reading PA, making it visible from almost everywhere in the city. This also makes it a great spot for views of the city and surrounding areas. At night, each level of the rooftop is illuminated by red neon lights, which can be seen for miles. It is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors to the area. The Pagoda has become a trademark symbol of the City of Reading. It was also used as an ancient temple in M Night Shyamalan's 2010 film "The Last Airbender".
Commissioned in 1906 at a cost of $50,000 by William A. Witman, Sr. to cover his stone quarry, the Pagoda was completed in 1908. It was orginally intended to be a luxury resort atop Mt. Penn, but due to the bank foreclosure and the denial of a liquor license, Witman never opened the Pagoda. By 1910 the Pagoda and surrounding 10 acres were deeded to local business owner, Jonathon Mould and his wife, Julia (Bell). On April 21, 1911 they "sold" the Pagoda to the City of Reading for the sum of $1. Since then the Pagoda has been owned, loved and cared for by the citizens and City of Reading.
-http://www.readingpagoda.com/history.html-
This site is also home to another Waymark. Duryea Drive-The Top of the Mountain (Waymark Code WM669).
Street address:
98 Duryea Drive
Reading, PA USA
19604
County / Borough / Parish: Berks
Year listed: 1972
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Domestic
Current function: Landscape, Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: yes
Hours of operation: From: 12:00 PM To: 4:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.