Guardian of the Mountain
Mount Penn’s Best View of Berks County — 360° and Up to 60 Awesome Miles!
Welcome to the historic William Penn Memorial Fire Tower!
High atop Mount Penn, the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower has watched over Reading and Berks County since 1939. Built as both a fire observation tower and visitor attraction, this 120-foot landmark tells a remarkable story of ingenuity, community pride, and preservation. We invite you to explore its history, discover the architectural details that make it unique, and join us in protecting the Guardian of the Mountain for generations to come.
JOIN US for What’s Up at the Tower for 2026:
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Tower Sunday - stop by and visit the Tower! Make the climb, chat with our volunteers and historians, shop our vintage merch tent, and more!
Stay connected with WPTowerTalk, our monthly e-newsletter!
Subscribe for the latest news on Tower events, projects, and volunteer opportunities—plus something fun for our WPTowerKids!
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Tower Tees! Purchase a 2026 Fall Limited Edition Print Tower T-Shirt
Available only on Tower Sundays for $20 while supplies last.
What a wonderful day to celebrate the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s anniversary event! Whether you’ve loved the Tower for years or were discovering it for the first time, we’re grateful you made it part of your day.
This treasured landmark connects generations through shared memories, local history, and pride in the community we call home. Your support helps keep that connection strong.
A heartfelt thank-you to the volunteers and supporters who helped make today’s celebration possible—and who give their time and care to the Tower throughout the year.
Here’s to more memories on Mount Penn! - Pagoda Skyline, Board of Directors
Tower Sundays
Third Sunday of the Month
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
April through December
Tower Sundays return November 15, 2026. See our 2026-27 full schedule below.
Just $5 per person ages 10-65; Everyone else is free!
Bring the family, climb the historic Tower, explore the mountaintop, and experience some of the best views in Berks County.
Climb 156 steps to an elevation of 1,240 feet and enjoy spectacular 360° views of Berks County from high atop Mount Penn. On a clear day, you can see Philadelphia. Receive your Official Climber Button or Sticker when you reach the top!
During your visit, discover the rich history of the Works Progress Administration on the mountain and its treasured landmarks.
Explore the grounds, enjoy a picnic, or take a walk along the surrounding trails.
BYO picnic blankets and camping chairs to set up a while and enjoy the fresh air.
Amenities: Accessible restrooms, trash cans, parking, and enjoy the serenity at the Tower!
Vintage Pagoda Mountain Merch Sales: If you missed out on shopping inside the Pagoda before the pandemic, we have preserved those original gift shop items in-box and will have them available for purchase on Tower Sunday!
It’s family fun on the mountain…
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2026-2027 Tower Sundays
Third Sunday of the Month
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
November 15, 2026
December 20, 2026
April 18, 2027
May 16, 2027
June 20, 2027
July 18, 2027
August 15, 2027
September 19, 2027
October 17, 2027
November 21, 2027
December 19, 2027 -
2027 Easter Dawn Service
Sunday,
March 28, 2027
6:30 a.m.
Pastor Mike Reinert, Grace United Methodist ChurchGather at the Tower as the sun rises for a cherished community tradition of worship, reflection and renewal.
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Chicken Bake Sale
Saturday,
April 24, 2027Powered by dedicated volunteers, our annual Chicken Bake raises essential funds to preserve the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower and the Skyline Drive area in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Details to come!
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Pagoda Hillclimb
Saturday, June 26 - Sunday, June 27, 2027
Dating back to 1951, the Blue Mountain Region of the SCCA hosts this PHA Champion Series Hillclimb event each summer. The course is very technical and includes nine turns.
“Fun Facts!”
Height: 120 feet tall, 1,239 feet above sea level
Building material: stone and reinforced concrete. All stone used was from Mount Penn.
Steps: 156 (erroneous reports of 120 steps have been published in the past)
Built: 1939 on the foundation of the former Gravity Railroad Tower, which burned in 1923.
Listed on the National Historic Lookout Register on Oct. 30, 1999.
Stand Tall With Us!
Volunteer Opportunities Coming Soon!
Whether you have a little time to volunteer, want to become a member, make a donation or explore a community partnership, there’s a place for you in the Tower team.
Corporate Partnerships
Partner with Us and reach new heights with your business! As a partner, your business or organization can help preserve a local landmark, support welcoming events, and inspire more people to discover all the mountain has to offer.
Bring your ideas, resources, or expertise. Together, we can keep this special place thriving for generations to come.
About the poster: The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of job seekers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads. It was set up on May 6, 1935, by presidential order, as a key part of the Second New Deal. Under the WPA, the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Directions
William Penn Memorial Fire Tower is located at 621 Skyline Drive, Reading, PA 19606. The grounds are open only during Tower Sunday and special events.
You can view the Tower as you drive along Skyline Drive. The road’s security gates are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. year-round.
For directions from your location, click the Google Maps link below.
Talk to the Tower
Great things begin with a conversation.
Whether you’re planning a visit, interested in supporting the Tower, or have an idea for a community or business partnership, we’d love to hear from you.
Your curiosity and ideas can help preserve this Reading landmark and inspire its future!