https://www.williampennfiretower.com/news daily 0.75 2026-09-11 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/news/get-out-there-n9t2h-tz6yt monthly 0.5 2025-12-30 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/news/why-deserts-matter-too-maymt-gxwcr monthly 0.5 2025-12-30 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/news/new-hope-in-old-appalachia-lly88-9hphm monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/donate daily 0.75 2026-09-11 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/pagoda-skyline-inc daily 0.75 2026-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/286f82d5-d350-40d1-8ee2-bffd33257b87/Skyline+Postcard.jpg https://www.williampennfiretower.com/projects daily 0.75 2026-09-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/624b3c6d69f8ea5ba4177856/d7cc7829-1538-4c41-9fb4-7c2ed2fc9a49/Bailard-10.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/624b3c6d69f8ea5ba4177856/0a44915f-926d-426d-9555-759b61913053/Bailard-11-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/624b3c6d69f8ea5ba4177856/c04f8287-f0eb-441a-a61f-575b9e2a27c4/Bailard-10.jpg https://www.williampennfiretower.com/take-action daily 0.75 2026-09-11 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/discover-our-history daily 0.75 2026-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/5fa3e9e7-6a1c-48cb-9570-ec19e5fcdb12/History+1.webp 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/2744c8ef-7189-4022-ad27-db9532632a6b/oldgravitytower.jpeg Discover our History 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/5054dd7c-b14a-42ad-84a8-2475b25168cc/2+GravityRailroadTower1940s.webp Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/71b82a4e-2c1d-4ca7-b6cd-0c2b9ee6c0f1/1931+remains+of+tower.jpg Discover our History 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/a6c303af-19a6-4a3a-a73c-b331fe92ee5e/3+SchwartzSummitHouseHotelCrupi.webp Discover our History 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) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/da8d87db-4448-4272-a236-5e19b23e026c/4+FireTowerPavillionPredecessorSchwartzSummitHotel.webp Discover our History 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) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/aeb96888-af7a-4a93-9a12-071fcd4c86a0/5+FireTowerConstruction1939+%281%29.webp Discover our History 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/311abfac-4cdf-4745-92d8-1ecec740d6a9/WPTower+Postcard+2.jpg Discover our History 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/fb9c1709-144a-420a-a559-3e674d3f84b4/6+FireTower2000Renovation.webp Discover our History 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/c05a90e7-3238-4e1d-8afe-50add94c5cf2/7+FireTowerSteps1999Rusty.webp Discover our History 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.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/d538e7ac-5663-4e18-92b8-81b01708a8c8/8+FireTowerSteps2000Painted.webp Discover our History Renovation completed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/afa05e1f-8b2a-47f6-ba05-abc85205c6af/WIlliam-Penn-Fire-Tower-Leaves.jpg Discover our History 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/1adc1623-8e59-47d5-a56a-f11ea42594c5/IMG_7516.jpeg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/e6c0916a-926d-467a-b935-f49743583828/44996498_2314190408595329_8005680960840400896_n.jpg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/a6313cb5-73d0-417c-84a3-e122efa5cedd/IMG_6059.jpeg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/6e43d4d9-f21a-4f99-ad6e-84ec7fe70588/740880988_1012068898244039_4611067936291118326_n.jpg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/a7a49872-82f9-48d3-a234-c25753f77eae/508441284_10230547300525990_8016313978979116789_n.jpg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/e50942cf-b2fe-415f-8448-d1276c030aa1/508476202_10230547300445988_8035036781051571450_n.jpg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/f7cfd3b3-f209-4cf9-b4f7-a47d27f88295/508511602_10230547300165981_4794503032877634306_n.jpg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/e5c7c3a7-71a0-4565-9870-a4115b4e0dad/508538191_10230547300605992_756636891370725083_n.jpg Discover our History https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/c4b3a0d2-5889-4403-9ebd-20c11b63bc1f/Potter.png Discover our History 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) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/00d4b434-e01b-467c-8837-2bc7a8a07ff4/wptower+flag.png Discover our History https://www.williampennfiretower.com/home daily 1.0 2026-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/1d3cd19d-15b8-4e4c-a3f1-8a4e717b0231/rock-wall.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/1788756262010-16AJPWO2FS0XX64UKXSJ/unsplash-image-YMkX5NjURhk.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/28aa22bc-0484-4887-847f-65af46f8855d/Tower-Sundays-View.png HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/99deee43-1e5d-4ab9-9484-0fd45aec67bc/WIlliam-Penn-Fire-Tower-Leaves.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/c4b39f52-4aa6-4651-afec-307fdbfb11f2/Easter-Dawn-Service-Reading-Pennsylvania.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/35542391-72af-4cd2-86ed-1c84847b4745/William-Penn-Fire-Tower-Sundays.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/2a9a2ae9-139b-433e-b37b-4f656cd4c504/IMG_8820.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/ac5fa906-146e-4e8e-a19d-1d8defd0ce40/IMG_6059.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/465daf7a-4786-410a-8e49-f9be06c85148/IMG_7516.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/a8498b19-d2e9-4c5c-83c4-c93945b0cdd0/IMG_8728.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/5ccdb275-cfa5-4d8a-8e15-d6b873f579e3/IMG_5981.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/bc68c671-e21e-4f87-b47e-72ff99a42ada/William+HomePage.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/216d23f5-b8fd-4026-9769-a0e739f25c76/22037po.jpg https://www.williampennfiretower.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-10-17 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/partners daily 0.75 2026-09-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/865ecfb5-cb4b-4500-843b-a4422aaf9823/CityorReading.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/3de3d8d1-b2a4-4cee-b4c7-152f3c9b3a18/johnsecoges.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/05b72d2a-0194-4e63-8d4e-e5cc841ac5b9/RPL-Logo-4C-488x244-1.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/86786106-a7c4-4f36-a4cf-5dad7e07592f/mailshark.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/f5aae2b8-959a-4583-a8c3-d1547d3a40f4/minmanprinting.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/c9f951ab-78dd-43ae-bcbf-d8e0593ed884/Roo+Hoo%27s+Boutique.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/3c4549e0-3ea3-4abd-b91a-e3c443ac6b0b/logo-tec-centro-berks-small-1.png https://www.williampennfiretower.com/sundays daily 0.75 2026-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/1d3cd19d-15b8-4e4c-a3f1-8a4e717b0231/rock-wall.jpg Sundays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/99deee43-1e5d-4ab9-9484-0fd45aec67bc/WIlliam-Penn-Fire-Tower-Leaves.jpg Sundays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/28aa22bc-0484-4887-847f-65af46f8855d/Tower-Sundays-View.png Sundays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/c4b39f52-4aa6-4651-afec-307fdbfb11f2/Easter-Dawn-Service-Reading-Pennsylvania.jpg Sundays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/1788756262010-16AJPWO2FS0XX64UKXSJ/unsplash-image-YMkX5NjURhk.jpg Sundays https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/35542391-72af-4cd2-86ed-1c84847b4745/William-Penn-Fire-Tower-Sundays.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/2a9a2ae9-139b-433e-b37b-4f656cd4c504/IMG_8820.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/ac5fa906-146e-4e8e-a19d-1d8defd0ce40/IMG_6059.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/465daf7a-4786-410a-8e49-f9be06c85148/IMG_7516.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/a8498b19-d2e9-4c5c-83c4-c93945b0cdd0/IMG_8728.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/5ccdb275-cfa5-4d8a-8e15-d6b873f579e3/IMG_5981.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a9d90cee145116ad94ded44/216d23f5-b8fd-4026-9769-a0e739f25c76/22037po.jpg https://www.williampennfiretower.com/volunteer daily 0.75 2026-10-17 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/plan-your-visit daily 0.75 2026-10-17 https://www.williampennfiretower.com/store daily 0.75 2026-09-11