Thomas H. Brown, Burlington's right-of-way man, purchased 271⁄2 acres of land from Read for the purpose of establishing a townsite.

The Farmer's Mutual Telephone Company was established in 1905 with lines connecting to Rushmore, Wilmont, and Fulda.

The State of Minnesota maintained the highway for 50 years, but responsibility for upkeep was transferred to Nobles County in 2003.

Reading is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Blue Earth native Jim Hagedorn, a Republican.

Reading is located in Summit Lake Township and is represented by Nobles County Commissioner Justin Ahlers.