One can infer much about the wealth of a city by looking at the architectural records of public buildings.
In the early twentieth century, the city of Reading, PA was prosperous and growing.
Reading is located on the Schuylkill River in Berks County of southeastern Pennsylvania.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading,_Pennsylvania
The success of city industries – The Reading Railroad, commodities, automobiles, brass fixtures, motorcycles, and food – brought wealth to the community.
The impressive size and grandeur of this Elk’s Club suggests the general prosperity of Reading in the 1920’s.
This postcard photograph was made circa 1920; it was not mailed.
In a Berks County History site, some members remembered visiting this impressive building as children.
Many cities in Pennsylvania (and other states with rich industrial pasts) have suffered periods of decline and re-growth.
Unfortunately, in these cycles, many architectural treasures are lost as there is no economic base to preserve the original function or to find a new use for the building.
This handsome building, combining two French architectural styles, was constructed as a mansion for the Trexler family.
Horatio Trexler, who built the grand house, inherited a share of his father’s iron works and invested in a variety of banks and businesses.
The Elks Club purchased the home from the Trexler heirs in 1902.
In 1978, the Elks sold the property to the City of Reading.
This building is still standing, although it is currently unoccupied.
