Allentown was founded in 1762 by William Allen, a successful businessman who served as mayor of Philadelphia and later became the chief justice of Pennsylvania. Before European settlement, the area that would become Allentown was wilderness inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe, who fished for trout and hunted deer and grouse in the region’s scrub oak forests.
Allen hoped the city would displace Easton as the seat of Northampton County and become a major national center for commerce due to its location along the Lehigh River and its proximity to Philadelphia, which was then the largest and most influential city in British America and the second-most populous city in the entire British Empire after London. Initially called Northamptontown, the town was renamed Allentown in 1838 to honor its founder.
Revolutionary War Period
Allentown played a central role in inspiring and supporting the American Revolution. One of the most famous episodes in the city’s Revolutionary War history involves the Liberty Bell. During the American Revolution, the Liberty Bell was brought to Allentown for safekeeping in the Zion Reformed Church. The Liberty Bell Shrine now contains a full-size replica of the original bell.
Industrial Development
Construction of a bridge across the Lehigh River in 1812 and the opening of the Lehigh Canal in 1829 brought new economic opportunities to the town. An iron industry was established in 1847, a cement plant in 1850, and a rolling mill in 1860. Allentown’s location amid rich mineral deposits (iron ore, zinc, limestone) and fertile farmland enhanced its industrial and market center development.
In the early 19th century, Allentown emerged as an early national mining and industrial manufacturing hub, becoming one of the cities and regions that sparked the Industrial Revolution in the United States.
Manufacturing Boom
In 1905, Jack and Gus Mack moved Mack Trucks, their motor company, from Brooklyn to Allentown, taking over the foundries of Weaver-Hirsh on S. 10th Street. By 1914, Mack Trucks had developed a global reputation for manufacturing sturdy and reliable trucks and vehicles. The British Army nicknamed Mack’s five and seven-ton trucks the “Bulldog,” which was later adopted as the company’s corporate brand.
A vibrant food processing industry also began emerging, mainly due to the arrival of predominantly German immigrant bakers, among the city’s early settlers. The retail sector also flourished with the establishment of major department stores like Hess Brothers and Zollinger-Harned Company.
20th Century Challenges and Changes
Allentown suffered less and recovered sooner than comparable-sized Pennsylvania cities during the Great Depression. The town benefited from a diversified economy, the self-help efforts of its citizens, business groups, and elected officials, and the New Deal relief programs that provided jobs and income for many of the greatest need of assistance.
In 1930, the Chamber of Commerce created a new Industrial Department that initiated “Forward Allentown,” a three-year campaign to recruit new industries. This campaign attracted twenty-two new companies and 1,600 new jobs to the city.
Post-War Growth and Decline
The post-war economic boom fueled new growth in the city. Pennsylvania Power and Light successfully tapped the surging demand for electricity, driven in part by new domestic appliances. Western Electric Company began operations in Allentown in 1946, after which Bell Telephone and Bell Labs, for whom they made equipment, chose Allentown for additional operations.
However, by the late 1950s, the city’s industrial and commercial sectors were struggling. The decline of traditional manufacturing industries led to significant economic challenges that continued through the late 20th century.
Modern Revitalization
Responding to the late 20th-century economic downturn, Allentown sought to diversify its economy in the early 21st century. The city’s economy grew in its service, health care, transportation, warehousing, and manufacturing industries.
In 2009, the Pennsylvania General Assembly created the Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) to address Allentown’s economic challenges and encourage the city’s development and revitalization. The NIZ includes approximately 128 acres (52 hectares) in Center City and the city’s riverfront district on the west side of the Lehigh River.
Cultural Heritage
Allentown’s culture dates back to the early 18th-century settlement of the city and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, which was then part of the Province of Pennsylvania, one of the original Thirteen Colonies. The area was settled by German immigrants, almost exclusively affiliated with the Lutheran, Moravian, and Reformed faiths, three of the most prominent Protestant denominations.
In the 1960s and 1970s, declining blue-collar employment dampened Puerto Rican immigration. Still, the 1980s brought another immigration wave, fueled in part by an exodus of earlier immigrants from New York City and northern New Jersey who were attracted by low home prices in Allentown, Lancaster, and Reading.
Present Day
Today, Allentown is Pennsylvania’s third-largest city, having evolved from its industrial roots into a diverse, service-oriented economy while maintaining its rich historical character and cultural heritage. The city continues to balance preservation of its historical legacy with modern development and economic growth.
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