Originally a streetcar suburb of Reading, South Temple retains the look of a 1920s residential community, with decent-sized properties, mature trees, sidewalks, and much 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).
The traditionally-accepted boundaries of South Temple are the 5th Street Highway (U.S. Route 222 Business) 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.
Historyedit
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 Bungalow 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.
Todayedit
South Temple is still regarded as a very desirable and affordable area of Muhlenberg Township. South Temple was home to two churches, both on North Temple Blvd: the Faith Evangelical Congregationalist Church, still in existence, and Epiphany Lutheran Church, now converted to a day care center. The original swimming pool at 4th & Darby Avenues served the community for many years. Originally a public pool built by William A. Sharp and named the "South Temple Pool," it became a membership organization like all local pools in Berks County. The Muhlenberg Swimming Association was open to anyone who bought a $200 "share" and paid an annual fee. It fell into disrepair due to disagreements among the board of directors, and was abandoned until its closing in 2014. A favorite summer hangout of many families in Muhlenberg Township, the pool was purchased by Windsor Industries of Hamburg, PA and reopened as a privately owned, for-profit pool in the summer of 2018. It was later managed by Aqua Pool and marketed to the Latino community. A $20 daily fee replaced the annual membership. As of spring 2023, Aqua Pool no longer existed and the pool was in the process of being demolished by the township. South Temple is just north of the Muhlenberg Township School District campus, putting the community within easy walking distance for children attending the public schools.
south, temple, pennsylvania, south, temple, census, designated, place, muhlenberg, township, berks, county, pennsylvania, united, states, located, approximately, four, miles, north, city, reading, 2010, census, population, residents, census, designated, places. South Temple is a census designated place 2 in Muhlenberg Township Berks County Pennsylvania United States It is located approximately four miles north of the city of Reading As of the 2010 census the population was 1 424 residents 3 South Temple PennsylvaniaCensus designated placeSouth TempleCoordinates 40 24 00 N 75 54 00 W 40 40000 N 75 90000 W 40 40000 75 90000CountryUnited StatesStatePennsylvaniaCountyBerksTownshipMuhlenbergElevation791 ft 241 m Population 2010 Total1 424Time zoneUTC 5 Eastern EST Summer DST UTC 4 EDT ZIP code19560Area code s 610 and 484GNIS feature ID1188114 1 Originally a streetcar suburb of Reading South Temple retains the look of a 1920s residential community with decent sized properties mature trees sidewalks and much 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 amp Park is still standing Contents 1 Boundaries 2 History 3 Today 4 References 5 External linksBoundaries editThe traditionally accepted boundaries of South Temple are the 5th Street Highway U S Route 222 Business 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 editSouth 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 Bungalow 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 Today editSouth Temple is still regarded as a very desirable and affordable area of Muhlenberg Township South Temple was home to two churches both on North Temple Blvd the Faith Evangelical Congregationalist Church still in existence and Epiphany Lutheran Church now converted to a day care center The original swimming pool at 4th amp Darby Avenues served the community for many years Originally a public pool built by William A Sharp and named the South Temple Pool it became a membership organization like all local pools in Berks County The Muhlenberg Swimming Association was open to anyone who bought a 200 share and paid an annual fee It fell into disrepair due to disagreements among the board of directors and was abandoned until its closing in 2014 A favorite summer hangout of many families in Muhlenberg Township the pool was purchased by Windsor Industries of Hamburg PA and reopened as a privately owned for profit pool in the summer of 2018 It was later managed by Aqua Pool and marketed to the Latino community A 20 daily fee replaced the annual membership As of spring 2023 Aqua Pool no longer existed and the pool was in the process of being demolished by the township South Temple is just north of the Muhlenberg Township School District campus putting the community within easy walking distance for children attending the public schools References edit South Temple Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey United States Department of the Interior By Decade https www census gov not specific enough to verify External links editAerial Photo of South Temple Bing Maps Link Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title South Temple Pennsylvania amp oldid 1165235940, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
