W hat makes this building remarkable isn't so much its form, but its location. Perched atop Mount Penn, east of a generic town called Reading, Pennsylvania, this is a wonderful addition to an otherwise unremarkable area. It was built by William A. Witman, who owned a rock quarry on the mountain. This was his attempt to make up for the damage he did to Mount Penn and restore a little beauty to the area. The pagoda is topped with a four-foot-tall shachihoko (dolphin), a Japanese water symbol meant to protect it from fire. This is ironic because the building shares the mountain top with a forest fire lookout tower. The pagoda also features a bell made in 1739 in Obama, Japan. It was part of a Buddhist temple before coming to Pennsylvania. From the sixth floor, an observation deck offers views of the valley, the city of Reading, and a nearby power plant. The best times to look at in the early summer when the valley is lush and green, or in the middle of winter after a fresh snowfall, making the city look like a picture postcard. In addition to its visual appeal, at one time the pagoda served a practical purpose. The levels are rimmed with lights, and people in the city below could compare the light pattern with a code published in the local paper to find out the results of elections, sports, or other news. Sort of a breaking news service before radio and television became dominant. There is also an art gallery and a gift shop inside.
New York, United States
