Discover our History
1889–1890 — The Story Begins! The original Gravity Tower takes shape atop Mount Penn. With the opening of the Gravity Railroad in 1890, the observation tower becomes a destination for visitors seeking mountain views and recreation.
1891 — A Place to Gather The neighboring Summit House Hotel opens on September 22. Together with the Gravity Tower and its adjoining ballroom, the area welcomes visitors for dining, dancing, and scenic outings.
1923 — Fire Changes the Skyline On April 23, fire destroys the original Gravity Tower. The nearby Summit House Hotel survives, remaining on the mountain for decades afterward.
A photograph of the Schwartz Summit House Hotel that was along Skyline Drive in Lower Alsace Township from 1891 to 1959 that appears in "Footprints on the Mountain — A History of the Pagoda, the Tower, the Gravity Railroad and Skyline Drive" by Corrie Crupi. The hotel catered to patrons of the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad and had 18 sleeping rooms and wide verandas surrounding the building to allow guests to enjoy the view from the highest point on Mount Penn. (Courtesy of Corrie Crupi Zana)
Schwartz's Summit House Hotel circa Christmastime 1933. The hotel was built atop Mount Penn as a resort for Mount Penn Gravity Railroad travelers. It was razed in 1959 and a small pavilion just east of the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower marks the location. The photograph appears in Volume 2 of "The Passing Scene" by George M. Meiser IX and Gloria Jean Meiser. (Courtesy of Donald Degler-Tenschert)
Construction of the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower in spring 1939. It is located in Lower Alsace Township, but is a ward of the City of Reading. According to local historian George M. Meiser IX, construction costs were $33,536. The photograph appears in Volume 12 of "The Passing Scene" by George M. Meiser IX and Gloria Jean Meiser.
October 28, 1939 — Opening Day The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower officially opens for forest fire observation and public visits. Its name was suggested by Tony Pietrovito, inspired by a Reading High School pageant about William Penn. 1939–1988 — Watching Over the Region For nearly five decades, the Tower serves as a forest fire lookout and a destination for visitors seeking panoramic views of Reading and the surrounding countryside.
The William Penn Memorial Fire Tower is surrounded by scaffolding in 2000 during a restoration led by Pagoda-Skyline Inc. (Corrie Crupi Zana — Pagoda-Skyline Inc.) 1988 — The Tower Closes Deteriorating conditions bring the Tower’s years of regular service to an end. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry stops using the building. 1998 — A Renewed Commitment Pagoda-Skyline, Inc. advances efforts to restore the Tower, bringing community attention to its preservation. 2000 — Restoration Moves Forward Restoration work begins, including replacement of the steel stairs—a major step toward welcoming visitors again.
The steel stairs inside the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower shown rust damage in 1999. The Penn family crest, made from tile is in the upper portion of the image. The stairs were restored by Bachman Iron Works in 2000. (Corrie Crupi Zana — Pagoda-Skyline Inc.)
Renovation completed!
October 28, 2004 — The Tower Reopens On its 65th anniversary, the restored Tower reopens to the public on a limited basis. The Next Chapter — A Future We Build Together The Tower’s story continues through the people who care for it. Volunteers, members, donors, and community partners all have a part to play in preserving this landmark and inspiring future generations.
Kay E. Potteiger, center, of West Reading accepts a lifetime membership in Pagoda-Skyline Inc. from Corrie Crupi Zana, board chair, and Mike Reinert, president. The nonprofit helps to promote and preserve the fire tower atop Mount Penn. Potteiger's father, contractor Harry Potteiger, built the tower in 1939. ( Photo (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
A Landmark Above Reading. A History Worth Preserving.
Standing 120 feet tall atop Mount Penn, the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower has overlooked Reading and the surrounding countryside since 1939. Located along Skyline Drive, approximately one mile from the Pagoda, this striking stone and reinforced concrete landmark offers panoramic views stretching up to 60 miles.
The top of the Tower reaches approximately 1,239 feet above sea level 983 feet above Fifth and Penn Streets in downtown Reading and 1,046 feet above the Schuylkill River.
Built on a Mountain’s History
Owned by the City of Reading, the Tower was built as both a fire observation tower and a tourist attraction. Its construction incorporated the surviving foundation and portions of the entrance of an earlier mountaintop hotel, which stood on the site between approximately 1889 and 1923 before being destroyed by fire.
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! Built with fire-resistant materials and stone sourced from Mount Penn, the Tower reflects the landscape around it. A colorful tile rendering of the William Penn family’s coat of arms decorates the entrance wall, while brick and stone form a distinctive pattern across the entry floor.
Inside, steel stairs and concrete landings lead to a spiral staircase that rises to the upper observation levels. An enclosed observation room and outdoor deck provide sweeping views of the city, forests, and valleys below. A copper-covered dome with bronze-framed windows crowns the structure.
A Watchtower for the Forests
For decades, the Tower played a role in protecting the region’s woodlands. Its vantage point allowed forestry personnel to watch for wildfires across approximately 5,000 acres in the Antietam, Angelica, and Maiden Creek valleys.
The observation room also housed 16 spotlights, with red and white signal lights used to flash communication codes. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry discontinued its use of the Tower in 1988 because of safety concerns related to the building’s condition.
A Legacy of Community Care
Years of exposure and deferred maintenance eventually took their toll. An assessment completed before the restoration work undertaken in 2000 found the Tower structurally sound and suitable for rehabilitation, but identified significant repairs to its windows, railings, dome, and other features.
Pagoda-Skyline, Inc., a nonprofit volunteer organization, helped lead efforts to preserve the landmark through fundraising, public awareness, and restoration planning. The original architect’s drawings provided a valuable resource for that work.
Today, the Tower stands as a reminder of Reading’s history and the community spirit that helps preserve it. The surrounding trails, green spaces, and picnic areas connect visitors with Mount Penn’s natural beauty—and offer new generations a place to explore, gather, and discover the view.
A legacy on camera, too! You’ll find many videos on YouTube featuring the Tower and its history. Few compare to this 2022 quick visit to the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower with Mike Reinert and local historian Corrie Crupi-Zana!
Mike is a longtime account executive at 69 WFMZ-TV, host of the Berks County Time Train segment, and a former reporter for WTVE-TV 51 in Reading. Both Mike and Corrie serve on the Pagoda Skyline, Inc. Board of Directors.