Pagoda-Skyline Inc.

Pagoda-Skyline Inc. Pagoda-Skyline, Inc. is a non-profit, citizen volunteer organization dedicated to the restoration an bought ten acres on the southern tip of Mt. Penn.

Pagoda History

At the turn of the century, William Abbott Witman Sr. It was his intention to quarry its stone. However, his stone quarrying operation defaced the look of the mountain side. He suffered public criticism and was finally persuaded to abandon his operation. Witman was then shown a postcard of the Philippines by his friend Charles C. Matz, who had then just returned from the Spanish-A

merican War. The oriental structure fascinated Witman so much that he hired Charles Matz and his father James Matz to build a similar structure. It was his idea to replace the damage left by the stone quarry. This new pagoda was intended to be a luxury hotel. In 1908 his "resort" became reality. A red brick and tile pagoda built in the style of a battle castle of the Sh**un Dynasty of Japan stood above the city. The interior had red and yellow tile floors and a majestic oak staircase leading to the upper floors. A shachihoko (dolphin) was poised on the rooftop and a Japanese temple gateway, known as a torii, graces the entrance. Unfortunately, the ensuing application for a license to serve alcohol was denied. As a result, the luxury inn never materialized and the building went into the hands of a local bank. In 1910, the land and the seven-storied pagoda were sold to Jonathan Mould, a prominent businessman. After one year, Mould and his wife resold the pagoda and the surrounding ten acres to the City of Reading for the sum of one dollar.

06/05/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open tomorrow, Saturday June 6, 2026 from 11AM to 4PM.

05/31/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open today Sunday, May 31, 2026 from noon until 3pm

05/03/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open
Sunday, May 3·11:00 – 3:00pm

04/24/2026

Don't Forget !!
At the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower
Chicken Bake 2026
Saturday, April 25·11:00am – 3:00pm
Rain or shine

Donation: $13 per dinner
Benefits the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower & Skyline Drive

04/19/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open
Sunday, April 19·12:00 – 3:00pm

04/09/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open Saturday, April 11 from noon until 3pm.

03/12/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open Saturday, March 14 from 1pm until 4pm.

Tickets for the April 25, 2026 Chicken Bake will be available for purchase.

03/12/2026
03/06/2026

The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower will be open to the public
on Sunday, March 8th from noon until 3PM.

Address

98 Duryea Drive
Reading, PA
19603

Telephone

(610) 375-6399

Website

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