Pennsylvania Route 724
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 724 is a 30 miles (48.3 km) road spanning from Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
. 724 travels through the counties of Berks
and Chester
. The road was signed in 1962, taking place of Route 83, which extended to Ridgewood, as well as additional unsigned roads to reach its current terminus.
PA 724 shares stretches of road with PA 345 in Birdsboro
, PA 10 in Reading
, and US 222 Business in Shillington
.
in Sinking Spring
as Shillington Road. PA 724 begins heading towars the southeast as Revere Road. In Spring Township
, PA 724 interchanges with U.S. Route 222 at the newly built highway. Before 2004, US 222 use to run where US 222 Business
runs today. In Shillington
, PA 724 has a concurrency with US 222 Business for less than a mile. After leaving US 222 BUS, PA 724 starts to just head east. In the borough of Kenhorst
, PA 724 is called Philadelphia Avenue and PA 724 intersects Pennsylvania Route 625
. In Cumru Township
, has a small concurrency with Pennsylvania Route 10
. East of PA 10, PA 724 begins to parallel the Schuylkill River
and intersects Interstate 176
at exit 10 in a Diamond interchange
. In Robeson Township
, PA 724 is called Main Street and intersects the eastern terminus of Pennsylvania Route 568
. In Birdsboro
, PA 724 enters the borough as Main Street and has a concurrency with Pennsylvania Route 345
which was formerly part of Pennsylvania Route 82
. PA 345 diverges south from PA 724 in Birdsboro where PA 345 formerly ended before it was extended in 2008. PA 724 continues east as East Main Street paralleling the Schuylkill River
.
PA 724 enters Chester County
as Schuylkill Avenue. In the village of Pottstown Landing
, PA 724 interchanges with Pennsylvania Route 100
. In the village of Kenilworth
, PA 724 interchanges with U.S. Route 422
at a Trumpet interchange. East of US 422, PA 724 continues southeast as a straight road named Schuylkill Road. PA 724 passes by the borough of Spring City
. Two miles southeast of Spring City, PA 724 terminates (ends) at an "Y" intersection with Pennsylvania Route 23
.
, a rail trail
following the right-of-way of the former Schuylkill Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad
. The highway crosses the trail twice in Birdsboro
, and is within striking distance in Parker Ford, a hamlet within East Coventry Township. The Schuylkill Branch was abandoned due to the rise in automobile traffic on PA 724.
". Hall
, a Pottstown, PA native, and Oates
approached Talmadge W. Faulk at his restaurant "Toggs" on Route 724 (New Schuylkill Rd.), on the eastern outskirts of town. The duo requested permission to photograph Faulk's defunct Rosedale
Diner
, which had been sitting dormant across the street since 1965. The photograph became the cover image for "Abandoned Luncheonette". In the liner notes, Faulk is simply credited as "The man on Rt. 724". In exchange for his verbal permission, Faulk received an autographed copy of the first album off the presses. The Rosedale Diner remained in the same spot until it was scrapped in 1983, due to the dilapidated condition it had incurred at the hands of souvenir-hunting Hall & Oates fans. The structure where Hall & Oates met with Faulk to request his permission still stands on PA 724 at Peterman Road, long abandoned under the name "Pizza World". Debris from the Rosedale Diner can still be found across the street, next to Towpath Park. Faulk died in 2007.
Along PA 724 in Spring City
, Chester County, where signed as Schuylkill Road, is located the historic former Vincent Mennonite Church and Rhoad's Burying Ground Mennonite
Cemetery
. The former meeting house
was constructed in 1797, and razed to the ground and rebuilt in 1889. The cemetery has grave markers dating to 1759, and also a large unmarked mass burial plot along PA 724 for Irish
laborers who died in an epidemic
while building the Schuylkill Canal
. The site is now home to The Meeting House Law Building & Gallery
and ImaginAIRium.
Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
Sinking Spring is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,639 at the 2000 census. Sinking Spring was given its name for a spring located in the center of town, the water in which would sink into the ground from time to time, giving it the illusion of having...
to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River. The population is 16,440 as of the 2010 Census.- History :...
. 724 travels through the counties of Berks
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
and Chester
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
. The road was signed in 1962, taking place of Route 83, which extended to Ridgewood, as well as additional unsigned roads to reach its current terminus.
PA 724 shares stretches of road with PA 345 in Birdsboro
Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
Birdsboro is a borough along the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pennsylvania, eight miles southeast of Reading. In the past, Birdsboro was noted for its large foundries and machine shops, none of which remain in operation today.-History:...
, PA 10 in Reading
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,...
, and US 222 Business in Shillington
Shillington, Pennsylvania
Shillington is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with a population of 5,059 at the 2000 census nestled amongst other suburbs outside of Reading...
.
Berks County
PA 724 begins at an intersection with U.S. Route 422U.S. Route 422
U.S. Route 422 is a long spur route of US 22 split into two segments in the U.S. states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The western spur begins in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and ends at Ebensburg, Pennsylvania...
in Sinking Spring
Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
Sinking Spring is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,639 at the 2000 census. Sinking Spring was given its name for a spring located in the center of town, the water in which would sink into the ground from time to time, giving it the illusion of having...
as Shillington Road. PA 724 begins heading towars the southeast as Revere Road. In Spring Township
Spring Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Spring Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 27,119 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous municipality in Berks County outside the city of Reading.-Geography:...
, PA 724 interchanges with U.S. Route 222 at the newly built highway. Before 2004, US 222 use to run where US 222 Business
U.S. Route 222 Business (Reading, Pennsylvania)
U.S. Route 222 Business is an auxiliary route of U.S. Route 222 located in Reading, Pennsylvania. Its northern terminus is at US 222 north of Laureldale. The southern terminus is at US 222 near Mohnton. US 222 Business is the only auxiliary route of U.S. Route 222 in Pennsylvania.- Route...
runs today. In Shillington
Shillington, Pennsylvania
Shillington is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with a population of 5,059 at the 2000 census nestled amongst other suburbs outside of Reading...
, PA 724 has a concurrency with US 222 Business for less than a mile. After leaving US 222 BUS, PA 724 starts to just head east. In the borough of Kenhorst
Kenhorst, Pennsylvania
Kenhorst is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,679 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kenhorst is located at ....
, PA 724 is called Philadelphia Avenue and PA 724 intersects Pennsylvania Route 625
Pennsylvania Route 625
Pennsylvania Route 625 is a long state route in east central Pennsylvania, United States. The southern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 23 in East Earl Township. The northern terminus is U.S. Route 222 Business in Reading.-Lancaster County:...
. In Cumru Township
Cumru Township, Pennsylvania
Cumru Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,147 at the 2010 census. The name is Welsh in origin, likely from "Cymru" the Welsh name for Wales...
, has a small concurrency with Pennsylvania Route 10
Pennsylvania Route 10
Pennsylvania Route 10 is a long state route in southeastern Pennsylvania. PA 10 runs parallel to Interstate 176 for less than near Morgantown. Its southern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 472 in Oxford. Its northern terminus is at U.S...
. East of PA 10, PA 724 begins to parallel the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
and intersects Interstate 176
Interstate 176
Interstate 176 is a spur route of eastern Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania. I-176, known locally as the "Morgantown Expressway", travels from Morgantown, Pennsylvania to Reading, Pennsylvania; the entire length of the highway is just over...
at exit 10 in a Diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
. In Robeson Township
Robeson Township, Pennsylvania
Robeson Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,869 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.1 square miles , of which, 33.9 square miles of it is land and...
, PA 724 is called Main Street and intersects the eastern terminus of Pennsylvania Route 568
Pennsylvania Route 568
Pennsylvania Route 568 is an long state route in east central Pennsylvania, United States. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 222 near Adamstown, where PA 568 continues to the southwest as Pennsylvania Route 272...
. In Birdsboro
Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
Birdsboro is a borough along the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pennsylvania, eight miles southeast of Reading. In the past, Birdsboro was noted for its large foundries and machine shops, none of which remain in operation today.-History:...
, PA 724 enters the borough as Main Street and has a concurrency with Pennsylvania Route 345
Pennsylvania Route 345
Pennsylvania Route 345 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route runs from Pennsylvania Route 82 in West Nantmeal Township, Chester County north to U.S. Route 422 in Birdsboro, Berks County.-Route description:...
which was formerly part of Pennsylvania Route 82
Pennsylvania Route 82
Pennsylvania Route 82 is a long north–south state highway located in southeast Pennsylvania, USA. The northern terminus is at PA 23 in Elverson...
. PA 345 diverges south from PA 724 in Birdsboro where PA 345 formerly ended before it was extended in 2008. PA 724 continues east as East Main Street paralleling the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
.
Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
as Schuylkill Avenue. In the village of Pottstown Landing
North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania
North Coventry Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,866 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, PA 724 interchanges with Pennsylvania Route 100
Pennsylvania Route 100
Pennsylvania Route 100 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that runs from U.S. Route 202 in West Chester, Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Route 309 in Pleasant Corners, Pennsylvania....
. In the village of Kenilworth
North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania
North Coventry Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,866 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, PA 724 interchanges with U.S. Route 422
U.S. Route 422
U.S. Route 422 is a long spur route of US 22 split into two segments in the U.S. states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The western spur begins in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and ends at Ebensburg, Pennsylvania...
at a Trumpet interchange. East of US 422, PA 724 continues southeast as a straight road named Schuylkill Road. PA 724 passes by the borough of Spring City
Spring City, Pennsylvania
Spring City is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,323 at the 2010 census. Spring City is a member of the Spring-Ford Area School District....
. Two miles southeast of Spring City, PA 724 terminates (ends) at an "Y" intersection with Pennsylvania Route 23
Pennsylvania Route 23
Pennsylvania Route 23 is a state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. The route begins at Pennsylvania Route 441 in Marietta and heads east to U.S. Route 1 in Philadelphia.-Marietta to Valley Forge:...
.
Names
Along the route, 724 has some alternative names which include Shillington Road, Schuylkill Road, Revere Boulevard, West Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue, Furnace Street, Thomas Avenue, East Main Street, West Schuylkill Road, and New Schuylkill Road.Rail trail
The entire route of PA 724 runs parallel to the Schuylkill River TrailSchuylkill River Trail
The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail under construction for expansion along the banks of the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania...
, a rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
following the right-of-way of the former Schuylkill Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. The highway crosses the trail twice in Birdsboro
Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
Birdsboro is a borough along the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pennsylvania, eight miles southeast of Reading. In the past, Birdsboro was noted for its large foundries and machine shops, none of which remain in operation today.-History:...
, and is within striking distance in Parker Ford, a hamlet within East Coventry Township. The Schuylkill Branch was abandoned due to the rise in automobile traffic on PA 724.
History
PA 724 is referenced in the liner notes of Daryl Hall & John Oates' 1973 album "Abandoned LuncheonetteAbandoned Luncheonette
Abandoned Luncheonette is the second album by the American pop music duo Hall & Oates, released in 1973, which combines folk, Philly soul, and acoustic soul....
". Hall
Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall is an American rock, R&B and soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates . Hall scored several Billboard chart hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, and is regarded as one of the best blue eyed soul singers...
, a Pottstown, PA native, and Oates
John Oates
John William Oates is an American rock, R&B and soul guitarist, musician, songwriter and producer best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates ....
approached Talmadge W. Faulk at his restaurant "Toggs" on Route 724 (New Schuylkill Rd.), on the eastern outskirts of town. The duo requested permission to photograph Faulk's defunct Rosedale
Rosedale
- Australia :* Rosedale, New South Wales* Rosedale, Queensland* Rosedale, Victoria* Rosedale, South Australia. The former Rosenthal.- Canada :* Rosedale, British Columbia* Rosedale, Calgary* Rosedale, Manitoba, rural municipality in the province of Manitoba....
Diner
Diner
A diner, also spelled dinor in western Pennsylvania is a prefabricated restaurant building characteristic of North America, especially in the Midwest, in New York City, in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, and in other areas of the Northeastern United States, although examples can be found throughout...
, which had been sitting dormant across the street since 1965. The photograph became the cover image for "Abandoned Luncheonette". In the liner notes, Faulk is simply credited as "The man on Rt. 724". In exchange for his verbal permission, Faulk received an autographed copy of the first album off the presses. The Rosedale Diner remained in the same spot until it was scrapped in 1983, due to the dilapidated condition it had incurred at the hands of souvenir-hunting Hall & Oates fans. The structure where Hall & Oates met with Faulk to request his permission still stands on PA 724 at Peterman Road, long abandoned under the name "Pizza World". Debris from the Rosedale Diner can still be found across the street, next to Towpath Park. Faulk died in 2007.
Along PA 724 in Spring City
Spring City, Pennsylvania
Spring City is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,323 at the 2010 census. Spring City is a member of the Spring-Ford Area School District....
, Chester County, where signed as Schuylkill Road, is located the historic former Vincent Mennonite Church and Rhoad's Burying Ground Mennonite
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
Cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
. The former meeting house
Meeting house
A meeting house describes a building where a public meeting takes place. This includes secular buildings which function like a town or city hall, and buildings used for religious meetings, particularly of some non-conformist Christian denominations....
was constructed in 1797, and razed to the ground and rebuilt in 1889. The cemetery has grave markers dating to 1759, and also a large unmarked mass burial plot along PA 724 for Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
laborers who died in an epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
while building the Schuylkill Canal
Schuylkill Canal
Schuylkill Canal is the common, but technically inaccurate, name for the Schuylkill Navigation, a 19th-century commercial waterway in and along the Schuylkill River in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The "canal" was actually a system of interconnected man-made canals and slack-water pools in the...
. The site is now home to The Meeting House Law Building & Gallery
The Meeting House Law Building & Gallery
The Meeting House Law Building & Gallery, formerly known as the Vincent Mennonite Church and the Rohd's Meeting House, is a former Mennonite Meeting House on a site in Spring City, Chester County, Pennsylvania occupied by landmark historical church buildings since at least 1750...
and ImaginAIRium.