A view of the Kutztown Train Station, circa very early 1900s, and now the meeting place of the Council of Borough of Kutztown as well as the passenger terminal of the Allentown & Auburn Railroad.
Photo is from Jim Schlegel’s collection.
A view of the Kutztown Train Station, circa very early 1900s, and now the meeting place of the Council of Borough of Kutztown as well as the passenger terminal of the Allentown & Auburn Railroad.
Photo is from Jim Schlegel’s collection.
Original grayscale photo has been colorized by Weidner Visual. From the Kutztown Area Historical Society collection.
This photograph was taken sometime between 1902 and 1910
From the Kutztown Area Historical Society Collection
“Kutztown, the Place to Live”
By Ruth Spohn
Kutztown High School Junior
Published in the Kutztown Patriot in 1941
In this composition I am going to give reasons and proof why Kutztown is an ideal town in which to live.
Provisions are made so that a child can enter nursery school, elementary school, high school, and college without leaving town. Our high school has many advantages, such as a choice of three courses: Academic, General, or Commercial.
Through the cooperation of the borough and the citizens most of the residences and public buildings are kept attractive. The college campus buildings attract the attention of many visitors.
There are several different ways to make use of one’s leisure time. The swimming pool, located one mild out of town, is large enough to accommodate everyone. The public park, located on East Main street, provides entertainment for both children and adults.
Kutztown is located between Reading and Allentown, which is one of the many reasons for its importance in industry.
The population increased as the various factories sprang up. There are shoe factories, a knitting mill, and a foundry, which employ many of the residents.
Although the Police force is comprised of only three men, they serve the community well.
Severy months ago the sewage lines were connected. This connection, when completed, will prove very useful and valuable to the citizens of Kutztown.
Kutztown has quite a variety of stores, including grocery and clothing stores. The stores are quite reasonable in price and carry merchandise of good quality.
Kutztown has churches of several denominations. The churches seem to be well attended, this in itself proves that the people of Kutztown are religiously-minded.
The buses provide a fairly good means of transportation. Although the buses arrive and leave at two-hour intervals, they accommodate residents and non-residents sufficiently.
The Visiting Nurse has proved herself valuable. The service of health inspectors is also greatly appreciated.
The garage service is excellent, as there are several dependable garages in the vicinity. The proprietors and their employees try to serve their customers well.
The post office provides excellent postal service twice a day. The building alone is attractive and the service is as good.
Restaurants have keen competition because most of them serve excellent food. The proprietors try to employ capable people to serve their customers.
Although the town is not fortunate enough to have a public library, the residents are permitted to take out books from the college library.
The resident doctors are capable and competent in their profession. The dentists of town have gained many favorable comments on their work.
The boys and girls have the privilege of joining the scout troops. These organizations are lead by capable leaders.
The town newspaper, “The Patriot,” has won several state honors. The paper in itself is not large, but it is a good newspaper for the size of the town. Newsboys provide the residents with newspapers from nearby cities.
Courtesy of Ned Parks, son of the letter’s author
From the Kutztown Area Historical Society Collection.
Borough of Kutztown
45 Railroad Street
Kutztown, PA 19530
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
610-683-6131
The offices will be closed in observance of the following holidays: New Years Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.