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Allentown is a city located on the Lehigh River, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. After Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it is Pennsylvania's third most populous city. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,632. It is the county seat of Lehigh County.

Allentown is the largest of three adjacent cities that comprise an area of eastern Pennsylvania known as the Lehigh Valley, with the cities of Bethlehem and Easton surrounding. Allentown is 60 miles (95 km) north of Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the United States, and 90 miles (145 km) west of New York City, the largest city.

Allentown is the home of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, a highly popular amusement park. Two four-year colleges, Muhlenberg College and Cedar Crest College, are based in Allentown. Air transport to and from the city is available through Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Allentown history

Allentown was founded in 1762 by William Allen, a leading figure in the American Revolutionary War and one of the first Mayors of Philadelphia. Allen originally called the city Northamptontown. However, the town quickly became known informally as "Allen's Town." In 1838 (58 years after Allen's death), the city's name was formally changed to Allentown in Allen's honor.

Allentown holds historical significance as the location where the Liberty Bell was hidden by the Second Continental Congress during a portion of the American Revolutionary War. As the British were attempting to seize Philadelphia in 1777, the Liberty Bell was moved north and hidden successfully by the colonies in the basement of the Old Zion Reformed Church, in center city Allentown. Today, a shrine 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, and is the only replica of its type.

Allentown is also home to Trout Hall, built in 1770 as the summer residence of James Allen, William Allen's son. Still standing, it is the city's oldest building structure.

The city has a strong tradition in the brewing of beer and was home to several notable breweries, including the Horlacher Brewery (founded 1897, closed 1978), the Neuweiler Brewery (founded 1875, closed 1968) and Schmidts, brewed by Pabst. Pabst's last standing brewery was located in Allentown before its brewing was contracted to Miller Brewing in 2001.

Allentown in popular culture

Allentown's national reputation as a rugged blue collar city has resulted in several references to the city in popular culture, including:

Billy Joel's "Allentown"

The city is globally known for a popular Billy Joel song, "Allentown," which was originally released on Joel's The Nylon Curtain album in 1982. The song subsequently appeared on Joel's "Greatest Hits: Volume II" (1985), The Millennium Concert (2000), and The Essential Billy Joel (2001) discs.

The song depicts the resolve of Allentonians, amidst the rough and hardened life that characterizes this East Coast, industrial city. "Allentown" also references nearby Bethlehem, home of the then-declining (and now defunct) Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

In "Allentown," representing the challenges associated with the demise of traditional American industry for Allentonians, Joel sings: "They never taught us what was real. Iron and coke. And chromium steel. And we're waiting here in Allentown."

42nd Street

Allentown features prominently in the famous Broadway musical 42nd Street. In the musical, up-and-coming chorus girl Peggy Sawyer hails from Allentown. As the plot unfolds, the talented singer and dancer yearns to leave Broadway and return to her native Allentown, but her director, Julian Marsh, tries to persuade her to stay.

In an effort to convince Sawyer not to return to Allentown, Marsh sings to Sawyer some of the most famous lyrics in the history of Broadway: "Come on along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway...." Sawyer decides not to return to Allentown, and Marsh's Broadway production, starring Sawyer, goes on to roaring success.

Bye Bye Birdie

In the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie, the character of Rose ("Rosie") Alvarez (played in the original cast by Chita Rivera) hails from Allentown. In the 1963 film adaptation, the character was portrayed by Janet Leigh.

Forensic Files

The Forensic Files television series (previously known as Medical Detectives) is filmed on location in Allentown. "Medical Detectives" aired on TLC from 1995 to 2002, and "Forensic Files" began airing on Court TV in 2000. On both shows, the production company utilizes local Allentown actors and locations for dramatic recreations of various crimes.

X-Files

Allentown was the plot setting for two X-Files episodes, broadcast on Fox Television: "Nisei" (Season # 3, episode # 9; Original airdate: November 24, 1995) and "Memento Mori" (Season # 4, episode # 15; Original airdate: February 9, 1997). Neither episode, however, was actually filmed in the city.

Famous Allentonians

Allentown is the birthplace of several famous Americans, including:

Geography

Allentown is located at 40°36'6" North, 75°28'38" West (40.601697, -75.477328).

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. The total area is 1.34% water.

Demographics and statistics

Population

In the past, the population of Allentown rose at a sprightly rate, reaching 25,288 in 1890; 35,416 in 1900; 51,913 in 1910; 73,502 in 1920; and 96,904 in 1940.

As of the census of 2000, there were 106,632 people, 42,032 households, 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 of any race.

One of the primary reasons for Allentown's population increase is from significant immigration and many migrants from New Jersey and New York City.

There are 42,032 households in the city, of which 28.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were 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.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age 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.

Median household income

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 percent of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Crime statistics

In 2003, the known criminal offenses in Allentown, as reported to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, included 641 violent crimes and 5,654 property crimes. With the exception of aggravated assault, Allentown exceeded national averages in all criminal categories. Cases of arson were nearly double the national average*.

The total reported violent crimes in Allentown exceeded the 2003 national average by 1.01 times. 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.), larcency/theft (1.22 times avg.), and automobile theft (1.08 times avg.).

The city's crime statistics have been heightened over the past decade by extensive and growing gang-related crime and gang rival violence. The city also has seen a growth in drug trafficking and prostitution.

Allentown transportation

Air transit

In addition to the city's primary airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE), located three miles northeast of Allentown in Hanover Township, Allentown is served regionally by four of the country's largest and busiest airports: Newark Liberty International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and New York City's two primary airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

Public bus transportation is available from Allentown to LVIA, and private bus service is available to the other airports.

Bus transit

Public transportation services provided within the City of Allentown are provided by LANTA *, a public bus system serving both Lehigh County and Northampton County.

Several private bus lines provide nearly round-the-clock roundtrip daily bus service to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and other regional locations.

Roads

Allentown's road network does not run on any grid system, and it is infamously confusing for out-of-town motorists. Roads frequently change name or direction without warning, or stop and continue elsewhere without additional information. The naming scheme in most areas of the city appears to be named street and numbered street one after another. However, this plan is not always consistent. The downtown center city area is arranged in a grid, with numbered streets running north-south and named streets running east-west. In the portion of Allentown which lies east of the Lehigh River (the "east side"), the streets follow a more understandable naming convention. Roads that run north-south are arranged in approximate alphabetical order as one travels east, away from the river. Alphabetical order by first letter is maintained throughout the east side, although streets which bear the same first letter are not necessarily alphabetized (e.g., as one heads east from Irving St., one would encounter Jerome St., then Jay St., Kiowa St., etc.). Most roads in the city are two-lane highways, even though passing is usually prohibited on them.

Major inbound roads to Allentown including Airport Road, Cedar Crest Boulevard, Hamilton Boulevard, Lehigh Street, MacArthur Road, and Tilghman Street. The city has a long-standing, state-wide reputation for fast and reckless driving.

Major highways

Four expressways run through the Allentown area, with associated exits to the city: Interstate 78, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Pennsylvania State Route 309, and U.S. Route 22.

US 22 is an expressway throughout the entire city, running parallel to Interstate 78. The highway is co-signed with I-78 just west of the Interstate 476/Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange. PA 309 is co-signed with I-78 east of Hamilton Boulevard and west of Emaus Avenue, and has small expressway spurts where the highway leads off of I-78.

Allentown industry

While many of Allentown's major industrial businesses have disappeared over the past two decades as a result of foreign competition and other factors, Allentown continues to be a corporate headquarters for several large, global companies, including Agere Systems, Air Products & Chemicals, Mack Trucks, Olympus Corporation USA, Pennsylvania Power & Light (PPL) and others.

With 6,500 employees, the largest employer in the city, as of 2006, is Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Professional athletics

Baseball

Allentown plans to unveil a $34 million, 8,000-seat Minor League Baseball stadium in 2008, located in the eastern section of the city, to be used for a yet unannounced AAA-level minor league baseball team.

While no official announcement has yet been made, the Philadelphia Phillies are expected to part ways with their AAA affiliate of the past 18 seasons, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, in an effort to move their AAA affiliate to Allentown. The Ottawa franchise of the International League is expected to sign a Player Development Contract with the Phillies at this time in anticipation of a possible move to Allentown for the 2008 season. The perceived benefit of this move is that it would bring the Phillies' AAA team much closer to its Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania fan base.

Football

The Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League hold their pre-season training camp each summer at the football facilities of Lehigh University, in neighboring Bethlehem. The camp has become one of the NFL's most heavily attended pre-season training camps.

The Lehigh Valley Outlawz, an indoor football team that plays in the Great Lakes Indoor Football League, also play their home games in neighboring Bethlehem, at the indoor Stabler Arena.

Higher education

There are two four-year colleges within the City of Allentown: Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College. Colleges in suburban Allentown include: DeSales University (formerly Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, located in Center Valley), Lafayette College (located in Easton) and Lehigh University and Moravian College (both located in Bethlehem).

Two community colleges are located in Allentown suburbs: Lehigh Carbon Community College (in Schnecksville) and Lehigh Valley College (in Center Valley). Penn State University also maintains a sattelite campus, Penn State Lehigh Valley (in Fogelsville), near the city.

Primary education

Most of the City of Allentown is served by the Allentown School District, which is the third largest school district in Pennsylvania, with over 17,000 students.

Public high schools
Allentown is served by two public high schools for grades 9 through 12, William Allen High School and Louis E. Dieruff High School. Three large suburban high schools, Emmaus High School, Parkland High School and Whitehall High School, also draw students from Allentown.

Public middle and elementary schools
Allentown School District's four middle schools, for grades six through eight, include: Francis D. Raub Middle School, Harrison-Morton Middle School, South Mountain Middle School and Trexler Middle School. The city is served by 17 elementary schools, for kindergarten through fifth grade, including: Central, Cleveland, Hiram W. Dodd, Jackson, Jefferson, Lehigh Park, McKinley, Mosser, Muhlenberg, Ritter, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Union Terrace and Washington. Several middle schools also house fifth graders.

Private primary schools

Within the city proper are also two parochial high schools, Allentown Central Catholic High School and Lehigh Valley Christian High School. Both of these parochial high schools serve students residing outside of Allentown in addition to residents of the city. Other parochial schools in the city include: Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena School, Holy Spirit School, 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 Swain School, a non-sectarian private school founded in 1929, is also located in Allentown.

Allentown shopping

Allentown is home to two shopping malls. The largest, Lehigh Valley Mall, is located at US 22 & PA 145/MacArthur Road on Allentown's township border with Whitehall. The other, the Salisbury Township South Mall, is located on Lehigh Street, south of I-78/PA-309, on Allentown's border with Salisbury Township near Emmaus.

The upscale Hess's department store chain once had its flagship store located in the business district, but the defunct Hess's chain became part of The Bon-Ton chain in the mid-1990's and the flagship store was torn down in 2002. A new, multi-million dollar office building was built by PPL and placed onto the site of the old Hess's department store building. The building mainly is currently used for office space and is connected to the PPL tower. However, the main lobby is designed to potentially hold shops and restaurants.

Parks and recreation

City parks

Much of the city's park system can be attributed to the efforts of industrialist General Harry C. Trexler. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement in the early 1900s, Trexler worked to create West Park, a 6.59 acre park in a then-upscale area of the city. He also facilitated the development of Trexler Park, Cedar Parkway, the Allentown Municipal Golf Course and the Trout Nursery in Lehigh Parkway. Trexler was also responsible for the Trexler Trust, which to this day continues to provide private funding for the maintenance and development of Allentown's park system.

  • Bicentennial Park (4,000 seat mini-stadium built for major sporting events and league activities)
  • Cedar Creek Parkway (127 Acres; Includes Lake Muhlenberg, Cedar Beach and the 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)
  • South Mountain Reservoir (157 Acres)
  • Trexler Memorial Park (134 Acres)
  • Trout Creek Parkway (100 Acres)
  • Union Terrace (19 Acres)
  • West Park (6.59 Acres)

Recreation

  • Allentown Municipal Golf Course
  • Cedar Beach Pool
  • Discovery Center
  • Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
  • Fountain Pool
  • Irving Pool
  • Jordan Pool
  • Lehigh Parkway
  • Lehigh Valley Zoo
  • Mack Pool

Allentown landmarks

Museums and cultural organizations

  • Allentown Art Museum (founded by Walter Emerson Baum, the museum's north wing was designed by Edgar Tafel, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright)
  • The Allentown Band (founded in 1828, it is the oldest civilian concert band in the United States)
  • Allentown Symphony Orchestra
  • Civic Little Theatre
  • Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology*
  • Lenni Lenape Historical Society Museum of Indian Culture
  • Marine Band of Allentown
  • MunOpCo Music Theatre
  • Pioneer Band of Allentown

Sister cities and twin cities

Allentown has two official sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International:

Allentown also has two designated "twin cities":

External links

See also

Cities in Pennsylvania | Lehigh County, Pennsylvania | Lehigh Valley

Allenschteddel, Pennsilfaani | Allentown (Pennsylvania) | Allentown, Pensilvania | Allentown | Allentown (Pensylwania) | Allentown (Pensilvânia) | Allentown | Allentown

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Allentown, Pennsylvania".

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