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| Allentown | |||
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| — City — | |||
| City of Allentown | |||
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| Nickname(s): "The Queen City".[1] , "A-Town"".[2] "Band City USA".[3] "Peanut City",[4] "Silk City".[5] | |||
| Motto: "Sic Semper Tyrannis" | |||
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  Allentown
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| Coordinates: 40°36′06″N 75°28′38″W / 40.60167°N 75.47722°WCoordinates: 40°36′06″N 75°28′38″W / 40.60167°N 75.47722°W | |||
| Country |  United States |
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| Commonwealth |  Pennsylvania |
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| County | Lehigh | ||
| Settled | 1751 | ||
| Founded | 1762 | ||
| Incorporated | March 12, 1867 | ||
| Founder | William Allen | ||
| Named for | William Allen | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Mayor-Council | ||
| - Mayor | Ed Pawlowski (D) | ||
| - City Attorney | Scott G. Hoh | ||
| - City Controller | William J. Hoffman | ||
| - City Council |
Council Members
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| - Senate | Pat Browne (R) | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 18.0 sq mi (46.5 km2) | ||
| - Land | 17.8 sq mi (45.9 km2) | ||
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2) | ||
| - Urban | 289.50 sq mi (749.79 km2) | ||
| - Metro | 730.0 sq mi (1,174.82 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 338 ft (103 m) | ||
| Highest elevation | 440 ft (134 m) | ||
| Lowest elevation | 255 ft (78 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - City | 106,632 (236th) | ||
| - Density | 6,011.5/sq mi (2,320.8/km2) | ||
| - Urban | 576,408 | ||
| - Metro | 808,210 (62nd) | ||
| - CSA | 800,336 | ||
| - Demonym | Allentonian | ||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP codes | 18101, 18102, 18103, 18104, 18105, 18106, 18109, 18175, 18195 | ||
| Area code(s) | 610, 484, 835 | ||
| FIPS code | 42-02000[6] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1202899[7]
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| Primary Airport | Lehigh Valley International Airport- ABE (Major/International) | ||
| Secondary Airport | Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport- XLL (Minor) | ||
| Website | http://www.allentownpa.gov/ | ||
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,632,[8] (2008 estimate 111,025).[9] It is also the county seat of Lehigh County.[10]
Located on the Lehigh River, Allentown is the largest of three adjacent cities that make up a region of eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey known as the Lehigh Valley, with the cities of Bethlehem and Easton nearby. Allentown is 60 miles (97 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city in the United States, 80 miles (130 km) east of Harrisburg, the state capital, and 90 miles (140 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
Two four-year colleges, Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College, are located in Allentown. Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, a very popular amusement park, is located just outside of the city.
Commercial airline service to and from the city is available through Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVIA) (IATA: ABE, ICAO: KABE). General aviation and charter service is offered by LVIA and Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (ICAO: KXLL, FAA LID: XLL).
The city is connected to the Interstate Highway System by Interstate 78, and Interstate 476, the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which provide limited access connections to the major urban areas of other Northeastern United States urban areas. Also U.S. Route 22, the Lehigh Valley Thruway, provides a limited access east-west highway connection to the Interstate Highway System to the northern parts of the city.
The area that is today the center of Allentown was laid out as Northampton Town in 1762 by William Allen, a wealthy shipping merchant, former mayor of the city of Philadelphia and then-Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania. The property was part of a 5,000-acre (20 km2) plot Allen purchased on September 10, 1735 from his business partner Joseph Turner, who was assigned the warrant to the land by Thomas Penn, son of William Penn, on May 18, 1732.[11] The tract was originally surveyed on November 23, 1736.[11] A subsequent survey done in 1753 by David Schultz for a road from Easton to Reading, of which present-day Union and Jackson streets were links, shows the location of log house owned by Allen, situated near the western bank of the Jordan Creek, which was believed to have been built around 1740. Used primarily as a hunting and fishing lodge, here Allen entertained prominent guests including his brother-in-law, James Hamilton, and colonial governor John Penn.[11]
The original plan for the town, now in the archives of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, comprised forty-two city blocks and consisted of 756 lots, mostly 60 feet (18 m) in width and 230 feet (70 m) in depth. The town was located between present-day Fourth and Tenth Streets, and Union and Liberty Streets. Many streets on the original plan were named for Allen's children: Margaret (present-day Fifth Street), William (now Sixth), James (now Eighth), Ann (now Ninth) and John (now Walnut). Allen Street (now Seventh) was named for Allen himself, and was the main thoroughfare. Hamilton Street was named for James Hamilton. Gordon Street was named for Sir Patrick Gordon, Deputy Governor of Colonial Pennsylvania from 1726-1736. Chew Street was named for Benjamin Chew, and Turner Street was named for Allen's business partner, Joseph Turner.[11]
Allen hoped that Northampton Town would displace Easton as the seat of Northampton County and also become a commercial center due to its location along the Lehigh River and its proximity to Philadelphia. Allen gave the property to his son James in 1767. Three years later, in 1770, James built a summer residence, Trout Hall, in the new town, near the site of his father's former hunting lodge.[12]
On March 18, 1811, the town was formally incorporated as the Borough of Northampton. On March 6, 1812, Lehigh County was formed from the western half of Northampton County, and Northampton Town was selected as the county seat. The town was officially renamed "Allentown" on April 16, 1838, after years of popular usage. Allentown was formally incorporated as a city on March 12, 1867.[13]
Allentown holds historical significance as the location where the Liberty Bell (then known as the Pennsylvania State House bell) was successfully hidden from the British during the American Revolutionary War. After George Washington's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia was defenseless, and that city prepared for British attack. The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ordered that eleven bells, including the State House bell and the bells from Philadelphia's Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, be taken down and removed from the city to prevent the British, who would melt the bells down to cast into cannons, from taking possession of them. The bells were transported north to Northampton-Towne, and hidden in the basement of the Old Zion Reformed Church, in what is now center city Allentown. Today, a shrine and museum in the church's basement marks the exact spot where the Liberty Bell was hidden. It features a full-size official replica of the Liberty Bell, flanked by the flags of the original thirteen colonies.
After the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776, Hessian prisoners-of-war were kept in the vicinity of present-day Seventh and Gordon Streets. The Old Zion Reformed Church, and a house near James (now Eighth) and Hamilton Streets, served as hospitals for injured and sick Continental Army troops. In 1777, a factory manufacturing paper cartridges for muskets was relocated here from nearby Bethlehem. That same year, a shop of sixteen armorers was established along the Little Lehigh Creek, and employed in the repair of weapons and the manufacture of saddles and scabbards.[11]
Prior to the 1830s, Allentown was a small town with only local markets. The arrival of the Lehigh Canal, however, expanded the city's commerce and industrial capacity greatly. With this, the town underwent significant industrialization, ultimately becoming a major center for heavy industry and manufacturing. While Allentown was not as large as neighboring Bethlehem at the time, the local iron industry — which included the Allentown Iron Company (established 1846) and the Allentown Rolling Mills (established 1860) — employed the majority of Allentown's workforce.[11] Railroads, such as the Lehigh Valley Railroad, were vital to the movement of raw materials and finished goods, and employed a significant workforce during this time. This period of rapid economic growth in the region was halted by two events, the Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression.
In addition to the iron and railroad industries, Allentown also had a strong tradition in the brewing of beer and was home to several notable breweries, including the Horlacher Brewery (founded 1897, closed 1978),[14] the Neuweiler Brewery (founded 1875, closed 1968)[15] and Schaefer Beer, whose brewery was later sold to Guinness.[16]
Economic recovery in the early 20th century was brought about by the silk and textile industry. The Adelaide Silk Mill, one of the largest in the world at the time, opened in Allentown in 1881. By 1928, there were more than 140 silk and textile mills in the Lehigh Valley, making it the second largest industry in the region. By the 1930s, the silk industry was in worldwide decline, as synthetics were taking the place of silk. Catoir Silk Mill, the last silk mill in Allentown, closed in 1989. In 1905, Mack Trucks moved to Allentown, beginning Allentown's focus on heavy industrial manufacturing. Today, Allentown's economy, like most of Pennsylvania's, is primarily based in the service industries.
Allentown is located at 40°36'6" North, 75°28'38" West (40.601697, -75.477328).[17] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.5 km² (18.0 mi²). 45.9 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. Bodies of water include the Jordan Creek and its tributary, the Little Lehigh Creek, which join within the city limits and empty into the Lehigh River. Other bodies of water within the city limits include Lake Muhlenberg in Cedar Creek Parkway and a pond in Trexler Park.
The city sits within the Lehigh Valley, a geographic region bounded by Blue Mountain, a ridge of the Appalachian mountain range, which varies from 1,000 to 1,600 feet (490 m) in height about 12 miles (19 km) north of the city, and South Mountain, a ridge of 500 to 1,000 feet (300 m) in height that borders the southern edge of the city.
The city is the county seat of Lehigh County. The adjacent counties are Carbon County to the north; Northampton County to the northeast and east; Bucks County to the southeast; Montgomery County to the south; and Berks County and Schuylkill County to the west.
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Schnecksville | Whitehall | Bath | |
| Fogelsville |  |
Bethlehem | ||
 Allentown  |
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| Emmaus | Center Valley | Hellertown |
Allentown's climate is considered to fall in the humid continental climate zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Precipitation is almost uniformly distributed throughout the year.
January lows average 21.2 °F and highs average 34.3 °F. The lowest officially recorded temperature was -16 °F in 1912. July lows average 63.7 °F and highs average 84.6°F. The highest temperature on record was 105 °F in 1966. Early fall and mid-winter are generally driest, with February being the driest month with only 2.75 inches of average precipitation.[18]
Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing light snow and others bringing numerous significant snowstorms. Average snowfall is 34.2 in per year,[19] with the months of January and February receiving the highest at just over 9 in each. Rainfall is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to twelve wet days per month,[20] at an average annual rate of 110.54 centimetres (43.52 in).[21]
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 72 (22) |
76 (24) |
87 (31) |
94 (34) |
97 (36) |
100 (38) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
99 (37) |
93 (34) |
81 (27) |
72 (22) |
105 (41) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 35 (1.7) |
39 (3.9) |
49 (9.4) |
60 (15.6) |
71 (21.7) |
79 (26.1) |
84 (28.9) |
82 (27.8) |
74 (23.3) |
63 (17.2) |
51 (10.6) |
40 (4.4) |
60.6 (15.9) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 19 (-7.2) |
21 (-6.1) |
29 (-1.7) |
38 (3.3) |
48 (8.9) |
58 (14.4) |
63 (17.2) |
61 (16.1) |
53 (11.7) |
41 (5) |
33 (0.6) |
24 (-4.4) |
40.7 (4.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | -16 (-27) |
-12 (-24) |
-5 (-21) |
12 (-11) |
29 (-2) |
39 (4) |
38 (3) |
41 (5) |
31 (-1) |
19 (-7) |
3 (-16) |
-9 (-23) |
-16 (-27) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 3.50 (88.9) |
2.75 (69.9) |
3.56 (90.4) |
3.49 (88.6) |
4.47 (113.5) |
3.99 (101.3) |
4.27 (108.5) |
4.35 (110.5) |
4.37 (111) |
3.33 (84.6) |
3.70 (94) |
3.39 (86.1) |
45.17 (1,147.3) |
| Source: The Weather Channel[22] 2009-05-23 | |||||||||||||
Center City, which includes the downtown area and the 7th Street retail and residential corridor, is the city's central business district and the host to various city, county and federal government centers. To the east of Center City are "The Wards," the areas that developed as residential areas during the city's industrial boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Just east of the Lehigh River are the city's East Side neighborhoods, most of which border the various routes to nearby Bethlehem. South of Center City, and across the Little Lehigh Creek, are the city's South Side neighborhoods, which border Emmaus. Lastly, there is the affluent West End, which traditionally comprises most neighborhoods west of 15th Street.
Allentown's Center City neighborhoods mainly consist of a variety of Victorian and Federal rowhomes. The stately homes around West Park are mostly Victorian and Craftsman. The impressive homes on the city's tree-lined streets in the West End were mostly built in the 1920s and 40's. Houses in the City's South Side and East Side are mixture of styles and are generally twins and single family homes built from the 1940s through the 1960s with century old Victorians in the mix. Allentown also has loft apartments in converted mills and historic brick manufacturing buildings and modern and historic high-rise apartment buildings.
The PPL Building is Allentown's tallest building at 322 feet (98 m). It is 23 stories high and is located at the northwest corner of 9th and Hamilton Street. A Lehigh Valley icon, this Art Deco tower can be seen from places throughout the Lehigh Valley. One of the city's older still-standing structures, Allentown Symphony Hall, at 23 North Sixth Street in Center City, was constructed in 1896.
The City of Allentown is characterized by a large stock of historic homes, commercial structures and century-old industrial buildings.
There are three historic districts in Allentown, Old Allentown, the Old Fairgrounds and West Park neighborhoods. Old Allentown and Old Fairgrounds are Center City neighborhoods that hold a joint house tour organized by Old Allentown Preservation Association (OAPA) once a year in September. The West Park neighborhood also offers a tour of this district's larger Victorian and Craftsman-style homes.[23]
The Allentown Symphony Orchestra performs at Allentown Symphony Hall, located on North Sixth Street in center city. The city also has a musical heritage of civilian concert bands, and is home to the Allentown Band, the oldest civilian concert band in the United States.[24] The Allentown Band, Marine Band of Allentown, Municipal Band of Allentown and the Pioneer Band of Allentown all regularly perform at the bandshell in the city's West Park.
The city houses a collection of public sculptures, including the DaVinci Horse, located on 5th Street. This sculpture is one of three in the world.
The Allentown Art Museum, located on North Fifth Street in Center City, is home to a collection of more than 13,000 pieces of art, along with an associated library. The Baum School of Art, located in downtown Allentown at 5th and Linden Streets, offers credit and non-credit classes in painting, drawing, ceramics, fashion design, jewelry making and more.
Vestiges of Allentown's Pennsylvania German heritage remain present in its cuisine, and foodstuffs such as scrapple, chow-chow, Lebanon bologna, cole slaw and apple butter are often found offered in local diners and the Allentown Farmer's Market. Shoofly pie, birch beer, and funnel cakes are regularly found at local fairs. Several local churches make and sell fastnachts as a fundraiser for Fastnacht Day, the day before the start of Lent.
As the population of the city has increased, many national restaurant and fast food chains have established a presence in the city. More recently, growth of the city's ethnic populations has led to the opening of many family run restaurants specializing in ethnic cuisine. Ethnic food types represented include Dominican, Mexican, Thai, Puerto Rican, West Indian, Japanese, Italian, Lebanese and Syrian.
Due in part to Allentown's proximity to Philadelphia, cheesesteaks are also popular. Yocco's Hot Dogs, a regionally well-known hot dog and cheesesteak establishment with six area locations, was founded in 1922 by Theodore Iacocca, uncle of Lee Iacocca. In addition, A-Treat, a regionally-popular brand of carbonated soft drinks, has been manufactured in Allentown since 1918.
Allentown is home to several museums, all open to the public. These museums are:
Allentown is home to the area's premier amusement park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Established | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh Valley IronPigs | IL | Baseball | Coca-Cola Park | 2008 | 0 |
| Northampton Laurels FC | WPSL | Soccer | J. Birney Crum Stadium | 2005 | 0 |
| Pennsylvania Stoners | NPSL | Soccer | J. Birney Crum Stadium | 1979 | 2 (1980, 2008) |
| Philadelphia Force | NPF | Softball | Bicentennial Park | 2006 | 0 |
Allentown has a history in the sport of professional baseball that dates back to 1884. In 2008, Allentown unveiled Coca-Cola Park, a $50.25 million, 8,100-seat stadium.[25] The stadium was constructed in east-side Allentown to serve as the home field for the Philadelphia Phillies' AAA-level Minor League baseball team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The IronPigs, a member of the International League, are the first Major League-affiliated club to play in the city since 1960.[26]
Allentown hosted the Allentown Jets, an Eastern Professional Basketball League team, from 1958 to 1981. The Jets were one of the most dominant franchises in the league's history, winning eight playoff championships and twelve division titles. The team’s home games were played in Rockne Hall at Allentown Central Catholic High School.
Allentown is also home to the Stoners, a professional soccer team. From 1979-1983, the Stoners were members of the American Soccer League. The team had a five-year league record of 76-49-25, and won the league championship in 1980.[27] Due to increasing competition from other soccer leagues, and decreasing attendance, the team folded in 1983.[27] The team was resurrected in 2007 as the Pennsylvania Stoners, and competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Based in Allentown, the team originally played its home games at J. Birney Crum Stadium. In 2008, the team captured the NPSL league championship. Since 2009, the Stoners play their home games at Whitehall-Coplay School District's Zephyr Sports Complex in nearby Whitehall. The Easton-based Northampton Laurels FC, of the Women's Premier Soccer League, also play at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
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Allentown's economy has historically been and continues to be manufacturing based. The city serves as the location of corporate headquarters for several large, global companies, including Air Products & Chemicals,[28] Mack Trucks, PPL, and others.[29] The largest employer in Allentown is Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, with more than 7,800 employees.[30]
In 2008, after more than 100 years in the city, Mack Trucks announced that their Allentown-based corporate headquarters would be relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina in 2009.[31] It was expected that the move would result in the loss of approximately 600 jobs.[32] However, in 2009, the Lehigh Valley Health Network announced that they will be moving approximately 1,000 employees into the Mack Truck Building.
The Center City area along Hamilton Street 10th and 5th Streets was the primary shopping district in Allentown until the mid-1970s. The "Downtown", as it was referred to, was anchored by Hess's (9th and Hamilton); H. Leh and Company (7th and Hamilton), and Zollinger and Harned (6th and Hamilton) department stores. Along Hamilton street were scores of retail businesses; large banks; movie theaters and various small restaurants and lunch counters. On the second and third stories, professional offices could be found in many of the smaller buildings with storefronts on the first floor. Businesses generally operated from 9am to 5pm Monday-Saturday, staying open until 9pm on Thursdays and starting in the mid-1960s, also on Monday nights. Until 1952, Lehigh Valley Transit street trolleys operated east-west along the length of Hamilton Street, and also north and south along 8th Street. The major transit station downtown being at 8th & Hamilton.
In the 1950s, a privately-owned parking lot system (Park & Shop) to accommodate shoppers and downtown workers began to be built by razing old buildings generally within a block of Hamilton between Walnut and Linden streets, with Hamilton Street merchants providing validation for shoppers parking tickets. In the early 1970s, Hess's and Leh's built large, private multilevel covered parking decks connected to their department stores to attract customers.
In 1966, the Whitehall Mall opened along MacArthur Road, just north of Allentown in Whitehall Township. It was the first enclosed shopping center north of Philadelphia when it opened.[33] Having two major department stores (Sears & Roebuck and Zollinger and Harned) as anchor stores when it opened, its popularity led to the rise of a sprawling retail district along MacArthur Road that continued to expand into the early 1990s. After a major renovation in 1998, the Whitehall Mall's anchors included Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, and Sears.[33]
In the early 1970s, Hess's South, a satellite location of the Hess's downtown store, expanded to become the South Mall, located in South Allentown, at the city's border with Salisbury Township and Emmaus.[34] Today, the South Mall's anchors include Gold's Gym, Petco, Staples, Stein Mart, and The Bon-Ton.
In 1976, the Lehigh Valley Mall opened, just south of the Whitehall Mall, at the intersection of U.S. Route 22 and MacArthur Road. With more than 140 stores, the Lehigh Valley Mall became the largest shopping mall in the region, and presently has anchors including Boscov's, JCPenney and Macy's. A large outdoor shopping addition opened in October 2007, and includes stores such as Apple and Barnes & Noble. Most recently, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, a large, upscale outdoor shopping mall, opened just south of the city, near Pennsylvania Route 309 and Interstate 78, in Upper Saucon Township.
By the late 1960s, the development of suburban strip shopping centers (Lehigh, Crest Plaza, Two Guys, Mountainville, and Parkway) in the area during the late 1950s and 1960s and especially the opening of the indoor Whitehall Mall in 1966 were steadily reducing the number of shoppers along Hamilton Street. Consumers preferred the convenience of easy access via automobile, and the enclosed Whitehall Mall to the pedestrian outdoor sidewalk shopping which was found along Hamilton Street. The City of Allentown hired the firm of David M. Walker Associates in 1969 to explore the needs of Center City. The 1969 Walker Report concluded that automobile traffic had taken over the downtown shopping area and that a traffic-free business district between Linden, Walnut, Sixth and Tenth Streets be developed and to convert the downtown Hamilton Street shopping area to a "Semimall", later known as "Hamilton Mall". Traffic would no longer be allowed on Hamilton Street. The intersection of Eighth and Hamilton would be closed as well as all half streets intersecting Hamilton. This would create a large pedestrian shopping "superblock" between Center Square and 9th Street, with two smaller shopping blocks between Sixth and Seventh and Ninth and Tenth. Center Square would become a large, pedestrian only area with Seventh street being reduced to one lane on each side of the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument. Hamilton Street would be completely rebuilt, with the existing street removed and replaced by a raised brick walking surface. Large, enclosing canopies would be built on each side of the street to provide shoppers protection from the weather, and small buses would operate east-west between 6th and 10th Streets picking up and dropping off shoppers to give them easy access to retail stores.[35]
During a 30-day test in April 1971, traffic on Hamilton Street was shut down between Sixth and Tenth and Lehigh Valley Transit provided small buses, free of charge for shoppers. Walnut Street, which traditionally ran one way east to west, was reversed to run west-east, with traffic along Hamilton Street being diverted south to Walnut at Twelfth street for eastbound travel. Traffic moving westbound on Hamilton Street was diverted north at Sixth, then moved west along Linden to Twelfth, then south to Hamilton, giving the center city a circular traffic flow around the pedestrian-only Center City.
Problems quickly arose. It was difficult for small merchants downtown to receive deliveries, since the half streets were blocked and the narrow streets did not allow turnarounds of small delivery trucks. Also, the new restriction prohibiting automobile traffic on Hamilton Street was unpopular, and the proposed closing of the Eighth and Hamilton intersection was deemed impractical, since it blocked a major north-south route from South Allentown. Within a week, Eighth Street was reopened. The plan was also changed to allow limited two-lane automobile traffic on Hamilton Street one-way west to east, with limited drop-off and pick-up only parking. Traffic lights were installed at each major street and half street with a speed limit of 20 MPH. The sidewalks would be expanded outwards with canopies covering them.[35]
Final plans were developed and approval was given by City Council in October 1971. Construction of Hamilton Mall began in early 1972, with construction lasting until 1974. Starting at 10th street and proceeding east, one full block at a time was closed to traffic with the existing street surface and sidewalks removed (including the old trolley tracks which had been asphalted over in the 1950s) along with the sidewalks on each side of the street. In addition, the famous downtown sidewalk street lights, which contained hanging flower gardens, were scrapped. Retail store street signs were also removed, including the large signature Hess's department store sign because they interfered with the sidewalk street canopies. The large parking areas at Center Square and comfort station under the square were also removed and turned into large brick sidewalks, along with the resurfacing of Seventh Street between Linden and Walnut Streets.[35]
The construction of Hamilton Mall caused severe disruption in the downtown shopping area for more than two years. During that time, merchants and Center City employees experienced enormous difficulties as sections of Hamilton Street were closed for months at a time. The sidewalks along Hamilton Street were reduced to single path walkways, and piles of rubble, construction material, the sounds of heavy construction equipment took over the downtown area. During the construction period shoppers tended to avoid the downtown area and shop in the suburban malls and shopping centers.[35]
Officially opened in 1974, Hamilton Mall never lived up to the expectations of the city planners. Large numbers of shoppers did not return to the downtown area. The opening of Lehigh Valley Mall in 1976 and other, smaller malls in the suburbs with outside satellite stores increased the amount of businesses closing along Hamilton Street. The major expansion of MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township also led to less and less shoppers on Hamilton Mall. Improvements were made along Hamilton Mall by removing the overhead sidewalk canopies and installing a new generation of street lights, designed to replicate the hanging flower gardens of the ones removed in the construction were erected to improve the Mall's appearance. Parking meters were installed to allow longer term, but still limited parking. However, by the late 1970s, increased suburbanization led to a general decline in the popularity of the downtown shopping district. Retail shopping downtown declined with the closing of Leh's (1987) and Zollinger's (1978) downtown and culminated with the last major department store, Hess's, being sold-off in 1994, eventually being closed and subsequently demolished in 2000. Instead of a shopping Mecca, the use of downtown Allentown has turned into office buildings and increasingly has become a center-city campus for city and county government workers, along with those of PPL.
Allentown-based print media include The Morning Call, the city's daily newspaper, and Pulse Weekly, an arts and entertainment newspaper.
Allentown is part of the Philadelphia DMA (designated market area).[37] The four major Philadelphia-based network stations serving Allentown include: KYW-TV (CBS), WCAU (NBC), WPVI (ABC) and WTXF (Fox). Other available Philadelphia stations include: WPHL-TV, WPSG, and others. Several New York City stations also serve the area, including WPIX and WWOR-TV.
Additionally, the city is served by three Lehigh Valley television stations: WFMZ Channel 69 (independent) and WBPH-TV (Christian), both in Allentown, and WLVT Channel 39 (PBS) in Bethlehem.[38][39][40]
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Allentown's radio market is ranked 68th largest in the United States by Arbitron.[41] Stations licensed to Allentown include WAEB-AM (talk, news and sports), WAEB-FM (Top 40 music), WDIY (NPR and public radio), WHOL (tropical music), WLEV (adult contemporary music), WMUH (Muhlenberg College campus radio), WSAN (Fox Sports Radio and Philadelphia Phillies broadcasts), WZZO (hard rock music) and others. In addition, many New York City and Philadelphia stations can be received in Allentown.
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| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 486 |
|
|
| 1800 | 573 | 17.9% | |
| 1810 | 710 | 23.9% | |
| 1820 | 1,132 | 59.4% | |
| 1830 | 1,757 | 55.2% | |
| 1840 | 2,493 | 41.9% | |
| 1850 | 3,703 | 48.5% | |
| 1860 | 8,025 | 116.7% | |
| 1870 | 13,884 | 73.0% | |
| 1880 | 18,063 | 30.1% | |
| 1890 | 25,288 | 40.0% | |
| 1900 | 35,416 | 40.1% | |
| 1910 | 51,913 | 46.6% | |
| 1920 | 73,502 | 41.6% | |
| 1930 | 92,563 | 25.9% | |
| 1940 | 96,904 | 4.7% | |
| 1950 | 106,756 | 10.2% | |
| 1960 | 108,347 | 1.5% | |
| 1970 | 109,871 | 1.4% | |
| 1980 | 103,758 | −5.6% | |
| 1990 | 105,301 | 1.5% | |
| 2000 | 106,632 | 1.3% | |
| Est. 2008 | 111,025 | [42] | 4.1% |
As of a 2008 United States Census Bureau estimate[43], there were 111,025 people living in the city. There were 45,042 housing units in Allentown. The racial makeup of Allentown was 63.2% White, 11.0% African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 1.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 20.6% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. 36.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino, mostly of Puerto Rican descent. The median age of the population was 32.8 years. The city's population broken down by age ranges was 8.4% under 5 years, 6.9% between 5 and 9 years, 6.5% between 10 and 14 years, 7.8% between 15 and 19 years, 8.0% between 20 and 24 years, 15.6% between 25 and 34 years, 13.3% between 35 and 44 years, 12.5% between 45 and 54 years, 4.5% between 55 and 59 years, 4.2% between 60 and 64 years, 5.6% between 65 and 74 years, 4.9% between 75 and 84 years, and 1.9% who were 85 years and older. There were 54,699 males and 56,326 females in the city.
64.2% of the population speaks English, while 28.9% of the population speaks Spanish. 40.1% of the foreign population is a naturalized U.S. citizen, while 59.9% are not.
17.4% of all families and 21.1% of the population was below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18.
The unemployment rate for the entire Lehigh Valley area is 9.8% as of February 2010, with Allentown's unemployment rate estimated at over 10%.[44]
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 106,632 people and 25,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,320.8/km² (6,011.5/mi²). There were 45,960 housing units at an average density of 1,000.3/km² (2,591.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.55% White, 7.85% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 13.37% from other races, and 3.55% from two or more races. 24.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.
| Allentown Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Census | Allentown | PA | U.S. |
| Total population | 106,632 | 12,281,054 | 281,421,906 |
| Population, percent change, 1990 to 2000 | +1.3% | +3.14% | +13.1% |
| Population density | 6,011.5/sq mi | 247/sq mi | 80/sq mi |
| Median household income | $32,016 | $34,619 | $41,994 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.4% | 22.4% | 24.4% |
| Foreign born | 9.6% | 5% | 11% |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 72.5% | 85.4% | 75.1% |
| Black | 7.8% | 10.01% | 12.3% |
| Hispanic (any race) | 24.4% | 4.4% | 12.5% |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.8% | 4.2% |
There were 42,032 households in the city, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18, 39.4% had married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% had non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The city's average household size is 2.42 and the average family size was 3.09.
The city's population broken down by age ranges was 24.8% under 18, 11.2% from 18-24, 29.8% from 25-44, 19.1% from 45-64, and 15.1% 65 years or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,016, and the median income for a family was $37,356. Males had a median income of $30,426 versus $23,882 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,282. 18.5% of the population and 14.6% of families were below the poverty line. 29.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Allentown operates as a Pennsylvania third-class city with the "strong-mayor" version of the mayor-council form of government since 1970 wherein the mayor serves as chief executive and administrative officer for the municipality and City Council serves as the legislative and oversight body providing checks and balances on the system.[45]
Elected "at-large," the mayor serves a four year term under the city's home rule charter.[46] The current city mayor is Democrat Ed Pawlowski, who replaced Roy C. Afflerbach after his single-term in office from 2002 to 2006. The legislative branch, the Allentown City Council, consists of seven council members elected at large for four-year staggered terms.[46] City Council holds regular public meetings in order to enact legislation in the form of ordinances and resolutions. The current president of the City Council is Michael D'Amore.[47] The City Controller, who is responsible for the oversight of the city's finances, is also elected and serves a four-year term.[48]
Federally, Allentown is part of Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district, represented by Republican Charlie Dent, elected in 2004. The state's senior member of the United States Senate is Democrat Arlen Specter, elected in 1980 as a Republican. The state's junior member of the United States Senate is Democrat Bob Casey, elected in 2006. The Governor of Pennsylvania is Democrat Ed Rendell, elected in 2002; he is term-limited and therefore will not seek re-election in 2010.
| Allentown | |
| Crime rates (2008) | |
| Crime type | Rate* |
|---|---|
| Homicide: | 14.9 |
| Forcible rape: | 30.7 |
| Robbery: | 463 |
| Aggravated assault: | 241.3 |
| Violent crime: | 749.9 |
| Burglary: | 1,325.7 |
| Larceny-theft: | 3,482.5 |
| Motor vehicle theft: | 458.4 |
| Arson: | 25.2 |
| Property crime: | 5,291.8 |
| Notes * Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population. 2008 population: 107,335 |
|
| Source: 2008 FBI UCR Data | |
Allentown ranked 86th out of 393 cities in the 2009 CQ Press City Crime Rankings for the United States.[49]
In 2008, Allentown saw the following: 16 murders, 33 forcible rapes, 497 robberies, 259 aggravated assaults, 5,653 property crimes, 1,423 burglaries, 3,738 thefts, 492 auto thefts, and 27 arsons. There were 805 violent crimes and 5,680 property crimes reported.
In 2007, the known criminal offenses in Allentown, as reported to the FBI, included more than 800 violent crimes and more than 5,000 property crimes. With the exception of aggravated assault, Allentown exceeded national averages in all criminal categories. Most notable, cases of arson in Allentown were nearly double the national average.[50] Other crimes in Allentown that substantially exceeded national averages were robbery, murder and forcible rape. In 2007, incidents of reported crimes in the city dropped, with violent crime dropping by 18 percent and all crime dropping by 9 percent.[51]
The total reported violent crimes in Allentown was comparable to the 2003 national average (1.01 times the average).
Individual violent crime rates per capita compared to U.S. national averages were: robbery (1.54 times avg.), murder (1.47 times avg.), forcible rape (1.32 times avg.), and aggravated assault (0.57 times avg.). The total reported property crimes in Allentown exceeded the 2003 national average by 1.21 times. Individual property crime rates per capita compared to the U.S. national average were: arson (1.71 times avg.), burglary (1.23 times avg.), larceny/theft (1.22 times avg.), and automobile theft (1.08 times avg.).
Allentown's crime statistics are heightened significantly by gang-related crime and gang rival and retaliatory violence stemming from the presence of many of the nation's most violent gangs.[52] In the 1990s, anti-gang initiatives in New York City and elsewhere resulted in an increased population of gang members in Allentown, particularly in the city's center city area.[53] Gangs including 18th Street, Black Dragons, Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, Los Solidos, Mexican Mafia, MS-13 have been discovered in the region.[53] More than 75% of the homicides in Allentown during 2007 were drug or gang-related killings.[52] In 2008, a multimillion dollar methamphetamine ring operating in Allentown and the surrounding region, with ties to the Crips organization, was broken up by narcotics agents.[54] The city has undertaken various initiatives, including participation in the federally-funded "Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative" and the reorganization of the city police department, in an attempt to combat the problem.[55][56] Additionally, the city's Weed and Seed program has been effective at reducing both violent and non-violent crime in the downtown neighborhoods it serves.[57]
The City of Allentown is served by the Allentown School District, which is the fourth largest school district in Pennsylvania, with 18,118 students (based on 2005-2006 enrollment data).[58]
The city maintains two public high schools for grades 9-12, William Allen High School, which serves students from the southern and western parts of the city, and Louis E. Dieruff High School, which serves students from the eastern and northern parts. Each of these Allentown area high schools competes athletically in the Lehigh Valley Conference. Both schools play their home football games at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
Allentown School District's four middle schools, for grades 6-8, include: Francis D. Raub Middle School, Harrison-Morton Middle School, South Mountain Middle School and Trexler Middle School. The city is served by 16 elementary schools, for kindergarten through fifth grade, including: Central, Cleveland, Hiram W. Dodd, Jackson, Jefferson, Lehigh Parkway, Lincoln, McKinley, Midway Manor, Mosser, Muhlenberg, Ritter, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Union Terrace and Washington. The Roberto Clemente Charter School, also located in the Allentown School District, is a Title I charter school which provides educational services to mainly Hispanic students in grades 6 through 12.
The Allentown School District is currently undertaking a 10 year, $120 million facilities improvement plan. The plan includes renovation of all 23 schools in the district. Most of the schools to be renovated will be expanded. Two additional elementary schools and a fifth middle school are expected to be built.[59]
Allentown has two parochial high schools, Allentown Central Catholic High School and Lehigh Valley Christian High School, though both schools draw students from both Allentown and the city's suburbs. Other Allentown-based parochial schools (serving grades K-8) include: Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena School, Holy Spirit School, Lehigh Christian Academy, Mercy Special Learning Center, Our Lady Help of Christians School, Sacred Heart School, Saint Francis of Assisi School, Saint Paul School, and Saint Thomas More School. Parochial schools in Allentown are operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. The Grace Montessori School is a pre-school and early elementary Montessori school run as an outreach of Grace Episcopal Church. The Swain School, a non-sectarian private school founded in 1929, is also located in Allentown.
Two four-year colleges are located in Allentown: Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College. A satellite campus of Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), a comprehensive community college which offers two and four year degree programs, continuing education and industry training, is located in Center City Allentown.[60]
The city's primary airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE, ICAO: KABE), is located three miles (5 km) northeast of Allentown in Hanover Township. Newark (New Jersey) International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, which are within an hour to an hour-and-a-half driving distance of Allentown, provide additional flight services to Lehigh Valley residents. The region is also served by Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (ICAO: KXLL, FAA LID: XLL), a two-runway general aviation facility located in South Allentown used predominantly by private aviation.
Four expressways run through the Allentown area, with associated exits to the city: Interstate 78, which runs from Harrisburg in the west to New York City's Holland Tunnel in the east; the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, (which is part of I-476), runs from Plymouth Meeting outside Philadelphia in the south to Interstate 81 at Clarks Summit in the north; Pennsylvania Route 309, which runs from Philadelphia in the south to The Poconos in the north; and U.S. Route 22, which runs from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east. Public parking within Allentown is managed by the Allentown Parking Authority.
There are nine major inbound roads to Allentown: Airport Road, Cedar Crest Boulevard, Fullerton Avenue, Hamilton Boulevard, Lehigh Street, Mauch Chunk Road, Pennsylvania Route 145 (MacArthur Road), Tilghman Street, and Union Boulevard.
Public transportation within Allentown is provided by LANTA, a public bus system serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Several private bus lines, including Bieber Tourways, Susquehanna Trailways and Trans-Bridge Lines, provide bus service from Allentown to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal, Philadelphia's Greyhound Terminal, Atlantic City's Bus Terminal, and other regional locations.
Historically, Allentown has been served by Central Railroad of New Jersey, Conrail, Lehigh and New England Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, and Reading Railroad. While Allentown currently has no passenger rail service (the last public rail service, which was part of the Bethlehem-Philadelphia service provided by Conrail under contract with SEPTA, ceased operating in 1979), several of the Allentown-area stations once used for passenger service have been preserved through their current commercial use. In November 2008, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), along with both Lehigh and Northampton Counties, commissioned a study to explore the merits of expanding the New Jersey Transit line to the Lehigh Valley, which would potentially include stops in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.[61]
Allentown is a regional center for commercial freight rail traffic. Currently, Norfolk Southern's primary hump classification yards are located in Allentown,[62] and the city is also served by the R.J. Corman Railroad Group.[63]
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Allentown and the Lehigh Valley area were once served only by the 215 area code from 1947 (when the North American Numbering Plan of the Bell System went into effect) until 1994. With the city and region's growing population, however, Allentown and its surrounding areas were afforded area code 610 in 1994. Today, the city of Allentown is covered by 610. An overlay area code, 484, was added to the 610 service area in 1999.[64] A plan to introduce area code 835 as an additional overlay was rescinded in 2001.[65]
Allentown is home to several hospitals and health networks, including St. Luke's Health Network, Sacred Heart Hospital, the Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network.
Electricity in Eastern Pennsylvania is provided by PPL, also known as PP&L. UGI provides natural gas for homes. Two cable systems, RCN Corporation (originally Twin County Cable) and Service Electric Cable TV, Inc., have served the city since the 1960s.[66] The area's only landfill, IESI Bethlehem, is located in nearby Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The City of Allentown has one of the best park systems in the country. Much of the city's park system can be attributed to the efforts of industrialist Harry Clay Trexler. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement in the early 1900s, Trexler helped create West Park, a 6.59-acre (26,700 m2) park in what was then a community trash pit and sandlot baseball field[68] in an upscale area of the city. The park, which opened in 1909, features a bandshell, designed by noted Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, which has long been home to the Allentown Band and other community bands.[68] Trexler also facilitated the development of Trexler Park, Cedar Parkway, Allentown Municipal Golf Course and the Trout Nursery in Lehigh Parkway. Trexler was also responsible for the development of the Trexler Trust, which to this day continues to provide private funding for the maintenance and development of Allentown's park system.[69]
City parks in Allentown include Bicentennial Park (4,600 seat mini-stadium built for sporting events), Cedar Creek Parkway (127 acres, including Lake Muhlenberg, Cedar Beach and the Malcolm W. Gross Memorial Rose Garden), East Side Reservoir (15 acres), Kimmets Lock Park (5 acres), Lehigh Canal Park (55 acres), Lehigh Parkway (999 acres), Old Allentown Cemetery (4 acres), Jordan Park, South Mountain Reservoir (157 acres), Trexler Memorial Park (134 acres), Trout Creek Parkway (100 acres), Joe Daddona Park (19 acres) and West Park (6.59 acres).[69]
Mayfair Festival of the Arts, an arts and crafts festival established in 1986, is held each May at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown. The Great Allentown Fair runs annually, in early September, on the grounds of the Allentown Fairgrounds, where it has been held since 1889. The first Allentown Fair was held in 1852, and between 1852 and 1899 it was held at the "Old Allentown Fairgrounds," which was located north of Liberty Street between 5th and 6th streets. The J. Birney Crum Stadium plays host to the Collegiate Marching Band Festival, held annually since 1995, as well as other marching band festivals and competitions.
The city has two large capacity outdoor stadiums. Coca-Cola Park, with an overall capacity of 10,000,[70] was constructed in 2007 and is the home field for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the AAA-level minor league team affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. J. Birney Crum Stadium, used for Lehigh Valley Conference football and other purposes, has a seating capacity in excess of 15,000. The city has no large indoor stadium, but major indoor sporting and concert events are held at Stabler Arena, in neighboring Bethlehem.
Other recreational sites in Allentown include Allentown Municipal Golf Course, Cedar Beach Pool, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Fountain Pool, Irving Pool, Jordan Pool and Mack Pool.
Allentown is the birthplace of, or home to, several notable Americans, including:
Allentown's reputation as a rugged blue collar city has led to many references to the city in popular culture:
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Allentown has three official sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International[citation needed]:
Allentown also has two designated "twin cities":
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Allentown[1] is a city in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the third largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Allentown is also the county seat of Lehigh County. As of a 2006 estimate, Allentown's population was 107,294. As of 2000, the population density was 6,011.5/mi²(2,320.8/km²).
Allentown was founded in 1762 by William Allen. It was then known as "Northampton Town." It was renamed "Allentown" in 1838 and it was formally incorporated as a city on March 12, 1867.
Allentown has a large Latino/Hispanic population. Hispanics make up almost 25% of Allentown's population.
Allentown lies on the Lehigh River. It is 338 feet above sea level. It is 60 miles north of Philadelphia, 90 miles west of New York City, and 80 miles east of Harrisburg. Allentown is only 15 miles west of the New Jersey state line.
The climate in Eastern Pennsylvania is unique in that it can be up to and over 100 degrees in the summer and get snow in the winter. Summers are always hot, with temperatures in the upper 80s and humidity is usually high, above 80 or 85%. Winters can be cold, with ice on the roads being a worse problem than snow, but it does snow. Some years the area will only get a few inches all season, with the last major blizzard in 1996, when Lehigh Valley saw over 2 feet of snow.
English is the dominant language in Allentown, but Spanish is also widely used. Outside of the area, you can find people speaking Pennsylvania Dutch. Other languages can be found here, such as Serian, Lebanese, Portuguese and Vietnamese.
Allentown is known nationally as the birthplace of several famous Americans, including:
Allentown was the inspiration for the 1982 Billy Joel hit song "Allentown," which appeared originally on Joel's The Nylon Curtain album.
The video for the song "Move Along" by The All American Rejects was shot in Allentown and at Dorney Park in the city.
The primary and most convenient point of airline entry to Allentown and Lehigh Valley is Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), which is less than 15 minutes away from most parts of the city. Various airlines operate out of this airport. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a major international airport that is about 70 miles away. Since it is a hub for several national airlines, it is easy to obtain non-stop flights to Philadelphia International compared to ABE and usually cheaper.
The city is served by a regional bus service, LANTA, whose transportation center is located in downtown Allentown, providing convenient service to and from the center city. Every LANTA bus is equipped with a bike rack.
Allentown is relatively easy to navigate. Most of the city is easily walkable or bikeable.
The main east-west streets are listed from north to south: Sumner, Whitehall, Greenleaf, Cedar, Washington, Green, Tilghman, Allen, Liberty, Gordon, Chew, Turner, Linden, Hamilton, Walnut, and Union. Numbered streets run from north to south. They begin towards the east at 1 and continue to 42.
Extensive bus services are provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA). [2]
Several cab companies also operate throughout Allentown and Lehigh Valley. These are:
Most visitors to Lehigh Valley will want to either rent a car or drive their own.
Riding a bike can also get you around in Allentown and its fabulous park system.
Allentown is a city. When you ride it and park it, make sure you lock it. A Bike Line of Alllentown will rent bikes.[3] Little Lehigh Parkway and Jordan Creek Park are accessible to pedal through. Cyclists can access a trail head at Canal Park to get on the Tow Path to take them to Bethlehem and Easton.
Allentown is known for its extensive trail and park systems. Of special interest to visitors will be the Bridle Path in Lehigh Parkway (stop to feed the fish in the Fish Hatchery, go to the Museum of Indian Culture or pedal along a trail that takes you to a covered bridge).
The main Allentown downtown area is small and easy to walk. You may want to park your car in one of the many garages and walk downtown.
Allentown is home to Muhlenberg College[25], Cedar Crest College[26] and the Donley Center, the downtown Allentown campus of Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC). Other colleges are located throughout Lehigh Valley.
The largest employer in Allentown is Lehigh Valley Hospital, with over 7,800 workers. Other companies headquartered here are Air Products & Chemicals, LSI, St. Lukes Hospital, Blue Cross and PPL. Allentown was once an important manufacturing center in the region. Today, small scale manufacturing is still an important part of the local economy.
Allentown is the county seat for Lehigh County. Downtown Allentown is an important employment center with approximately 15,000 people working there.
Allentown is well known for its nightlife, and many Allentown clubs feature major New York City, Philadelphia and Allentown DJs and live bands. They include:
Allentown is a generally safe city for its size.
The entire downtown area is no place to walk around alone after dark. The Hamelton Mall area is ok, well lit and well patroled.
If you are in need of medical attention, here are some hospitals in the area:
As in many parts of the country, citizens may not want to share religious or political views. The area is becoming more diverse in race with many Spanish speaking citizens.
Allentown is a city where you must dial an area code when you place a call. Area codes in the Lehigh Valley are 610 and 484. Another overlay, 835, is planned, but is not active yet. You may still find some payphones on the street.
Website for the Diocese of Allentown[121]
Catholic churches:
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:
Episcopal churches:
[129] Hindu:
Jewish:
Muslim:
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[[File:|300px|thumb|right|Downtown Allentown]] Allentown is a city that is in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. After Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, meaning it has the most people. As of the 2000 census, the city had 106,632 people. It is the county seat of Lehigh County.
The town is in east Pennsylvania about 45 minutes away from the Pocono Mountains.
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The city of Allentown was first home to people in 1735. It was then named a Northampton town (Northampton-Towne) in 1762 by William Allen, a rich shipping merchant, Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania and mayor, or leader, of Philadelphia in the past.[1] The town was made on a 5,000-acre area Allen got for money in 1735 from the sons of William Penn. Allen hoped that Northampton-Towne would become a commercial center because of it being on the Lehigh River and how it was near Philadelphia. Allen gave the area to his son, James, who built a summer home, Trout Hall, there in 1770.
On March 18 1811, the town became a borough. On March 6 1812, Lehigh County was made from the west part of Northampton County, and Northampton was made the county seat. The name of the town became "Allentown" on April 16 1833 because it was liked by people. Allentown was made a city on March 12 1867.
The Liberty Bell was kept away from the British during the American Revolutionary War in Allentown. After George Washington lost the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia did not have defense, and got ready for the British to attack. The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania said that eleven bells, like the State House bell and the bells from Philadelphia's Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, should be taken down and taken away from the city to stop the British, who would melt the bells down to and make into cannons, from taking the bells. The bells were moved north to Northampton-Towne, and put in the basement of the Old Zion Reformed Church, in what is now center of Allentown. Today, a shrine in the church's basement marks the same spot where the Liberty Bell was.
Before the 1830s, Allentown was a small town with only local markets. When the Lehigh Canal was made the economy got bigger. The town changed with industrialization and became one of the United States' biggest areas for big industry and manufacturing. While Allentown was not as big as Bethlehem, the city right next to it, the iron industry in the area still gave many jobs to the city. Railroads, like the Lehigh Valley Railroad, were very important to move raw materials and made goods, and made many new jobs.
Allentown also had a strong tradition in the making of beer and was home to many breweries people knew, like the Horlacher Brewery (founded 1897, closed 1978).
Economic recovery in the early 20th century was caused by the silk and textile industry. The Adelaide Silk Mill, which was one of the biggest mills in the world, opened in Allentown in 1881. By 1928, there were more than 140 silk and textile mills in the Lehigh Valley which made silk the second biggest industry. By the 1930s, the silk industry was getting slow in all the world because synthetics were taking the place of silk. Catoir Silk Mill, the last silk mill in Allentown, closed in 1989. In 1905, Mack Trucks moved to Macungie, a small suburb of Allentown, which began Allentown's focus on big industrial manufacturing. Today, Allentown's economy is mostly service industries.
Allentown's climate is called humid continental. Summers are hot and muggy, fall and spring are mild, and winter is cold. Precipitation is almost spread throughout the year at the same rate. Allentown's weather is affected by the Blue Mountain, a mountain ridge from 1,000 to 1,600 feet high about 12 miles north of the city, and South Mountain, a mountain ridge of 500 to 1,000 feet high that is south of the cirty.
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