Lost Mount Penn: Wineries, Railroads and Resorts of Reading

by Arcadia Publishing

Overview

German immigrants of the nineteenth century brought their traditions of winemaking and mouthwatering cuisine to the slopes of Mount Penn high above Reading.

With a Santa Claus beard and a long-stemmed pipe, the hermit of Mount Penn, Louis Kuechler, founded Kuechler's Roost, where travelers flocked for feasts, literary soirees and free-flowing local wine. The opening of the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad brought a flurry of tourists from around the nation and fueled the creation of resorts throughout the countryside. Spuhler's Hotel hosted renowned pig roasts from noon until midnight. The fresh waters of Lauterbach Springs attracted wine and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Author Mike Madaio explores the vibrant society and culinary culture that made Mount Penn one of the best-known resort regions in the country until financial difficulties and the passage of Prohibition spelled its end.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467141147
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	11/18/2019
Series:	Lost
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,035,897
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mike Madaio is a food and wine writer based outside Philadelphia. His career began with the creation of Main Line Dine, a popular restaurant and dining blog covering the Philadelphia suburbs, and his writing has appeared in publications such as Wine Enthusiast, VinePair and Edible Philly. He has also achieved Italian Wine Ambassador certification from the Vinitaly International Academy. His website is Lifeattable.com and can be found on social media @lifeattable.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Introduction 9

1 Pennsylvania: Wine Land? 15

2 Vinous Origins in Berks: The Stubborn Will of the Teuton 21

3 Wine Industry Growth: 1860s-1880s 28

4 Virtual Tasting 35

5 The Hermit of Mount Penn 46

6 Prose and Poetry 66

7 Tourists Arrive, via Gravity 89

8 Resort Town 108

9 Passing the Torch 138

10 The New Roost 149

11 End of the Line 158

12 Lingering Ghosts 172

Appendix A Christopher Shearer on How Wine Is Made 175

Appendix B German and Pennsylvania German Poems from Mountain Log Book 179

Appendix C German Poetry Penned by Kuechler 185

Appendix D Menus from Pleasant View Hotel 189

Appendix E "New" Roost Menu and Wine List 191

Appendix E Mount Penn Summit Hotel, Supper Menu 195

Appendix G Recipes 197

Appendix H The Mountain Railroads of Reading, Pennsylvania 199

Appendix I Such a Fun Time, by Miss Gushie Gurgle 205

Appendix J List of Names on the Roost Stamtisch Table 207

Notes 209

Index 219

About the Author 223