South Temple, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
South Temple is an unincorporated town in southeastern Pennsylvania about four miles north of Reading
. It lies completely within Muhlenberg Township
and relies on the municipal services of that township. Originally a streetcar suburb
of Reading, South Temple retains the look of a 1920s residential community, with decent-sized properties, mature trees, sidewalks, and lots of variation in housing styles. The houses are well-kept and the gardens meticulously groomed. The community was originally serviced by a street-running trolley on Kutztown Road and an interurban
trolley stop (the pavilion at 11th & Park is still standing).
style to them, which is distinctive of the 1920s. Some houses are more notable, including five U-shaped duplex houses that are almost Mediterranean in style. During World War II, development was halted (a nationwide reality) and Sharp moved on to other projects, leaving many lots still open for development, particularly on the southern end of the town. In the 1950s, a builder by the name of Sheidy finished developing the area. Sheidy's homes are characterized as modest red-brick Cape Cods (see Cape Cod (house)
. Ironically, it was Sheidy (not Sharp) that built the homes along Sharp Avenue.
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
. It lies completely within Muhlenberg Township
Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania
Muhlenberg Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,305 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 12.2 square miles , of which, 12.0 square miles of it is land and...
and relies on the municipal services of that township. Originally a streetcar suburb
Streetcar suburb
A streetcar suburb is a residential community whose growth and development was strongly shaped by the use of streetcar lines as a primary means of transportation. Early suburbs were served by horsecars, but by the late 19th century cable cars and electric streetcars, or trams, were used, allowing...
of Reading, South Temple retains the look of a 1920s residential community, with decent-sized properties, mature trees, sidewalks, and lots of variation in housing styles. The houses are well-kept and the gardens meticulously groomed. The community was originally serviced by a street-running trolley on Kutztown Road and an interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
trolley stop (the pavilion at 11th & Park is still standing).
Boundaries
The traditionally-accepted boundaries of South Temple are the 5th Street Highway (Business Route 222) on the west, Sharp Ave. on the south, 11th Ave on the east, and Darby Ave. on the north. South Temple lies entirely within the 19560 ZIP code and is served by the "Temple" post office. Residents use "Temple" as their mailing address. The community is served by the Muhlenberg School District.History
South Temple was started by a local developer by the name of Sharp, as a "Restricted Residential Community" with distinctive custom-built homes targeted at the emerging upper-middle class. The houses that Sharp built are known for their wonderful curb appeal and architectural character. One of his houses along 7th Avenue even won a design award. Most of the houses are modest in size and have a Craftsman BungalowBungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
style to them, which is distinctive of the 1920s. Some houses are more notable, including five U-shaped duplex houses that are almost Mediterranean in style. During World War II, development was halted (a nationwide reality) and Sharp moved on to other projects, leaving many lots still open for development, particularly on the southern end of the town. In the 1950s, a builder by the name of Sheidy finished developing the area. Sheidy's homes are characterized as modest red-brick Cape Cods (see Cape Cod (house)
Cape Cod (house)
A Cape Cod cottage is a style of house originating in New England in the 17th century. It is traditionally characterized by a low, broad frame building, generally a story and a half high, with a steep, pitched roof with end gables, a large central chimney and very little ornamentation...
. Ironically, it was Sheidy (not Sharp) that built the homes along Sharp Avenue.
Today
South Temple is still regarded as a very desirable and affordable area of Muhlenberg Township. South Temple is home to two churches, both on North Temple Blvd: the Faith Evangelical Congregationalist Church, and Epiphany Lutheran Church. There is a municipal swimming pool (members only) at 4th & Darby named the "South Temple Pool" (its real name is the Muhlenberg Swimming Association, but most know it as the "South Temple Pool"), a favorite summer hangout of many families in the Muhlenberg Township. The town is adjacent to the campus of the Muhlenberg School District, making it within easy walking distance for students. The local elementary school (now the Muhlenberg Elementary Center), was at one time much smaller and named the "South Temple Elementary".External links
- Aerial Photo of South Temple, Bing Maps Link