Rambo Toy and Novelty Store, Reading PA (1870)

One of the prominent business houses of Reading of 46 years ago was the toy and novelty store of Isaiah Rambo, 630 Penn St. The store was a low, one-story frame structure, with a frontage of 35 feet, and occupying the site on which the store stood extended to Cherry Street, a depth of 230 feet, with a large stable on the rear. The property at that time was owned by Mrs. Susan Boyer. A rental of $35 a month was paid by Mr. Rambo, which amount included the stable, in which he kept a small donkey that had been one of the attractions of the Barnum circus, and which was utilized by him for advertising purposes.

The store adjoined the residence of Judge Jeremiah Hagenman, now occupied by the Keystone National Bank. At that time Penn Street was unpaved and the novelty of the first horse cars had not worn off. Electric street lighting was undreamed of and a gas lamp of old type was an ornament on the curb. The cut shows the store arrayed in Christmas garb, with Santa Claus performing a number of stunts on the roof. Mr. Rambo was a thorough believer in advertising and prior to Christmas his donkey team, fantastically arrayed, traversed every portion of the county. At that time merchants were accustomed to display their wares on the sidewalk and the curb line of the Rambo store was always devoted to showing a large assortment of express wagons, sleds and toys.

Main Office now S E Cor. Sixth & Washington Sts.
A Place to Get Anything
Reading, PA.
Ref. Photograph and story on back of photo Berks County Historical Society.