Liberty Fire Company No. 5
Why it's listed
Built on the southeast corner of South Fifth and Laurel Streets in southwest Reading, this firehouse was first erected in 1854 as a two-story brick building. In 1876 it was replaced by a larger two-story structure designed by Edward K. Mull, and a third floor was added in 1895 by L.H. Focht and Company to a design by Alexander F. Smith. The lower stories are Italianate and the upper floor is Victorian Romanesque, joined through repeated arched window hoods and pilastered arcades. The building is regarded as the last firehouse in Reading to keep both its original appearance and its original use. Its interior retains original 1876 furniture, moldings, wallpaper, brass hardware, chandeliers and lincrusta paneling, and stained glass by the J.M. Kase Glass Company. It remains an active volunteer fire company, which the listing cites as central to its significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is the last firehouse in Reading to retain its original appearance and use, and that its combination of utilitarian purpose and architectural quality makes it one of the most important landmarks in the city and county. The interior is described as largely unchanged from the 1870s, including original furniture, moldings, wallpaper and lincrusta. The building is also presented as an example of Victorian architecture and of the local firehouse's role in serving a growing southwest Reading neighborhood.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85000112, listed January 18, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 501 S. 5th St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | January 18, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000112 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1876-1895 |
| Architect / builder | Edward K. Mull (architect); Alexander F. Smith (architect); L.H. Focht and Company (builder) |
| Architectural style | Italianate with Victorian Romanesque third floor addition |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Functioning firehouse in use |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.32751, -75.92628 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85000112.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6541713
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.