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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX

Mount Penn Gravity Railroad

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   Station in Mineral Springs Park, within easy access by street cars from all parts of the city and railroad stations. A mountain climb behind a powerful engine (itself a novelty), two and a half miles to the summit of Mt. Penn, 1200 feet above the sea-the Black Spot. A lofty solid Stone Tower on the mountain top, from which appears a magnificent view of the city of Reading, the broad and fertile Schuylkill and Lebanon Valleys, the distant ranges and peaks of the Blue Mountains, to the hor izion-30 miles in every direction. Large pavilions for shelter and rest and a well-conducted restaurant. From the summit a rapid flight BY GRAVITY, 5 miles, over a road of light grades, through groves, vineyards, and mountain farms to the starting-point. Along the road, attractive s ummer resorts and picnic grounds. Accomodation for excursions of any size. For further information and rates, apply to
C.M. DECHANT, Supt., Reading, Pa. 1890  
Map A map from 1890 showing the course of the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad.
Ticket Window at station in Mt. Penn Some dignitaries sit for a picture in the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad ticket office. 1890's
Train in station One of the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad's locomotives in the station at Mineral Springs Park.
Steam locomotive One of the two Shaygeared Locomotives that moved the cars up the mountain until 1898 when the Gravity Railroad was electrified.
Station on summit of Mt. Penn The Stone Tower at the Black Spot on Mount Penn. Built in 1889.
Tower Hotel The Summit House on Mount Penn. (image from a postcard)
Gravity Railroad car preparing to coast down the mountain A Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad car loading up for the trip down Mount Penn. 1923
Gravity Railroad car coasting down the mountain A Gravity Railroad car coasting down Mount Penn.
Tower after fire The remains of the Stone Tower after it was destroyed by fire.
Wm. Penn Fire Tower, Tower Hotel and Skyline Drive The William Penn Fire Tower is near where the Stone Tower stood. Skyline drive has replaced the Gravity Railroad. Only the the Summit House remained. It was demolished in 1959.

Images from the Historical Society of Berks County Pa archives




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