Pagoda (Reading, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pagoda
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 Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | 98 Duryea Drive, Reading, PA |
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| Built | 1907-08 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001093 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1972 |
The Pagoda is a really cool and unique building that looks like a Japanese temple. It sits high up on Mount Penn, looking over the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. For more than 100 years, it has been a special symbol of the city.
Contents
The Pagoda's Story
Building a Dream
The Pagoda was finished in 1908. It cost about $50,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The people who built it wanted it to be a fancy hotel and restaurant. It was supposed to be the main part of a big luxury resort. However, the plans for the rest of the resort never happened.
In 1911, the seven-story wooden building was given to the city of Reading. It sits on about 10 acres (4.0 ha) of land. Today, it is part of the Mount Penn Reserve. This is a large area of land, about 1,595 acres (645 ha), that the city owns.
The Pagoda is 28 feet (8.5 m) wide, 50 feet (15 m) long, and 72 feet (22 m) tall. It is built right on the edge of a cliff. This spot is 620 feet (190 m) above the city and 886 feet (270 m) above sea level. From there, you can see an amazing view! You can look out for about 30-mile (48 km) across the city and the countryside around it.
A Special Bell
Inside the very top floor of the Pagoda, there is a huge bell. This bell is called a tocsin. It was made in Japan in 1739. It used to be in a Buddhist temple near Tokyo. The bell has Japanese writing on its sides. These words list the names of 48 people who donated money for the bell. They also include an old prophecy about the end of time. The temple where the bell was kept closed in 1881 and was later destroyed.
Keeping the Pagoda Safe
During World War II, some people wanted to tear down the Pagoda. This was because of strong feelings against Japan at the time. But luckily, the building was saved! It was fixed up in 1949. The bottom floor and balconies were rebuilt using strong stone.
In 1960, bright neon lights were put on the Pagoda. These lights outline its roofs at night. In the 1970s, the Japanese garden around the building was restored. Beautiful Japanese cherry trees were planted there. More modern LED lights were added in 2008 and 2009. There is even a webcam on the third floor. It takes pictures and shares the weather from the top of Mount Penn.
Who Cares for the Pagoda?
The City of Reading owns the Pagoda. But it is looked after by a group called the Foundation for the Reading Pagoda. The building has a small cafe and a gift shop inside. It is a very important symbol for the City of Reading.
The Pagoda is also home to Pagoda Skyline, Inc. This is a group of volunteers who started in 1969. They help to fix up and protect the Pagoda. They also help with the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower and Skyline Drive nearby.
Because of its history and importance, the Pagoda was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it is recognized as a special historical site.
