The number of Hotels and Taverns is thirty-two. The following are north of Penn street:
Daniel Herr's Hotel and Stage Office. Penn, between Fourth and Fifth streets.
Jacob Donnahaur. Pennsylvania Farmer. Penn, between Fourth and Fifth.
Peter Shenfelder. Borough Hotel. Penn, near Fifth.
Daniel Fichthorn. Sign of the Bald Eagle. Penn, between Fifth and Sixth.
Jacob S. Ebling. Sign of Gen. Washington. Penn near Sixth.
John Mellon. Green Tree Tavern, N. West corner of Penn and Sixth. This is the oldest tavern standing in the borough.
Jonathan Greth. White Horse. N. West corner of Penn and Seventh.
John Miller. Rail Road Hotel. N. East corner of Penn and Seventh.
Mrs. Beitinger. William Tell Inn. (After the first of April next the sign will be the Bull's Head, kept by David D. Weiser.) Penn, between Seventh and Eighth.
Philip Orth. Cross Keys. Penn, between Eighth and Ninth.
George B. Sterling. Mechanics' Hotel. N. East corner of Washington and Eighth.
Jacob D. Barnet. Eagle Hotel. S. East corner of Fifth and Washington. This is one of the most ancient taverns.
John Reifsnyder. Bald Eagle. Fifth, between Washington and Walnut.
Samuel Beard. Farmers' Hotel. N. West corner of Fifth and Washington.
Mrs. Levan. White Horse. Fifth, between Washington and Walnut.
John Kerlin. White Swan. Corner of Penn and Water streets.
South of Penn street are the following:
Henry Rheinhart. Washington Hotel. Corner of Penn and Water.
Michael E. Nunnemacher. Plough and Harrow. Penn, near Third.
George Gernant. Golden Swan. S. West corner of Penn and Fourth.
Daniel Finney. Mansion House. S. East corner of Penn and Fifth.
Abraham Behm. Capt. Lawrence. Corner of Penn and Sixth.
William Rapp. Butchers' Inn. S. East corner of Penn and Eighth.
Abraham Roland. Drovers' Inn. Penn, between Eighth and Ninth.
John H. Nagle. Mount Airy Hotel.
John S. Kerper. Infantry. Franklin, between Seventh and Eighth.—Very ancient.
Henry Weldy. Eagle Hotel and Stage Office. Fifth, between Penn and Franklin.
Peter Stump. Bald Eagle. Corner of Fifth and Franklin.—Ancient.
Andrew Davis. Washington House. Seventh, opposite the Depot.
Daniel Yerger. Gen. Harrison. Fifth, between Penn and Franklin.
Daniel Keehn. Napoleon Bonaparte. Corner of Seventh and Spruce.
Edward Davis. Mechanics' and Boatmens' Hotel. Long Island.
John Frill. Horse and Boat. Corner of Third and Bingaman.
The streets, with the exception of Water street, are perfectly straight, and cross each other at right angles. Those running North and South, are—Water street, (following the bank of the river, and extending through the Borough)—Front street—(the first of those following a straight course)—Second street, Third, Fourth, and so up to Twelfth, near the foot of Penn's Mount and about one mile from the river.
Those running East and West, beginning on the North, are Oak, Walnut, Washington, Penn, Franklin, Chestnut, Spruce, Pine, Bingaman and Canal streets.
Liberty and Billiard Alleys, extend through the borough, East and West, on each side of Penn street, at the distance of half a square. There are also alleys between all the squares, running North and South; commencing at Liberty and Billiard Alleys, and extending to the limits of the borough.
Penn Street, from the Schuylkill to Fourth, is 80 feet in width; from thence to the Farmers' Bank, 160; from thence to Keim & Stichter's Store, 200; from thence to Sixth street, 160; and from thence to the foot of Penn's Mount, 80 feet in width. North and South Fifth street is 80 feet wide. All the other streets are 60 feet, and the alleys 20 feet in width. "Most of the streets are regularly graded, and covered with white gravel, intermixed with a small portion of potters' or fire clay, to the depth of about eighteen inches. This gravel soon becomes compacted and cemented firmly together, and forms a very smooth, hard and durable road, superior to any paved or macadamized street.
From the eastern boundary of Reading, to its western on the Schuylkill, there is a fall of more than one hundred feet; and the streets running north and south, also have a considerable fall. The water therefore runs off freely, and the streets are easily kept dry and clean. The pavements in Reading are very broad and handsome, being from 13 to 22 feet in width; and those in the principal streets, are generally well made and kept in good order.
The Reading and Harrisburg Bridge, crosses the river Schuylkill at the foot of Penn street. It has three arches, each 200 feet span—whole length, 600 feet. It was built in 1816. The strength of this bridge is sufficiently proved by its having stood firm through three freshets, each of which swept away great numbers of its co[n]temporaries.
The Reading and Lancaster Bridge, at the foot of Bingaman street, is composed of two arches, and is 352 feet long. It was built in 1831. In January 1838, a portion of it was swept off by the freshet, and rebuilt in the summer following.
The market houses stand in the middle of Market Square, but are not very highly ornamental to that part of the town. Their mouldy and ruinous condition may make them objects of interest to persons of a romantic turn, but by the citizens in general, I believe, they are regarded rather as nuisances.
Public markets for the sale of provisions, are held every Wednesday and Saturday morning, and continue, from the first day of April to the first day of October, until eight o'clock; and from the first day of October to the first day of April, until nine o'clock. The stalls of the East Market House are rented by the Clerk of the market, to butchers, and the avails paid over to the Treasurer of the borough.
The Clerk of the Market exercises a general supervision over the markets, regulating the weights and measures, and taking cognizance of offences against the rules and regulations in regard to them. It is also made his duty to adjust according to the Borough Standard, the weights and measures to be used by the storekeepers, victuallers, and all other dealers within the borough of Reading, and to stamp the same with the letters B.R.
The West Market House is occupied by farmers for the sale of their own produce free of rent, but under the regulation and supervision of the Clerk of the Market, who, by a special ordinance of the Borough, is directed to keep a sharp eye on all balls of butter purporting to be a pound weight, which shall be offered for sale in the market, or elsewhere in the borough of Reading. If found "too light, (in weight, not color,) they are declared to be forfeited.—An ordinance which shall reach the peccadillos of the milk sellers, is yet a desideratum. The subject is full of difficulty; still it is recommended to the consideration of the Town Council. Some kind of chemical apparatus perhaps—But I am wandering. The west or vegetable market, is constantly attended by a large number of persons, male and female, some of whom come a distance of ten or twelve miles, bringing a plentiful supply of all kinds of country produce.
"Up in the morning early!"
Is the song of the blithe country women to the sleepy citizens of Reading, as they make their midnight entry into town, well prepared and eager for the strife of trade.
"Up in the morning's no for me!"
Grumbles many a reluctant riser, as he staggers out of bed and feels for his nether garments;—submitting however, to the unseasonable interruption of his rest, as his only chance of finding aught in the market, worth going to market for.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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