Allentown history

The history of Allentown, Pennsylvania's third-largest city, dates back to the mid-18th century. The city has evolved from a small settlement into a major industrial centre, leaving a significant mark on the history of the state and the country.

Foundation and Early Years

The city was founded in 1762 by William Allen, who served as the Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania and was a former mayor of Philadelphia. Initially, the settlement was named Northampton Town. Allen hoped that due to its location on the Lehigh River and its proximity to Philadelphia, the town would become a major commercial centre. However, in the early years, it developed slowly and was primarily a settlement of German farmers and craftsmen, known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. The name "Allentown" came into common usage and was officially adopted for the city in 1838.

Key Factors of Development

Allentown's economic rise began in the 19th century and was driven by several factors:

• Industrial Revolution: From the 1830s, with the arrival of the Industrial Revolution in the USA, the city began to develop rapidly.
• Transport Accessibility: The construction of the canal on the Lehigh River, followed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1855, transformed Allentown into an important transport hub. This facilitated the development of trade and industry.
• Heavy Industry: In the 1850s and 60s, metallurgy developed actively in the city. Iron and steel produced at local plants, such as the Allentown Iron Company and Allentown Rolling Mills, were in huge demand across the country, especially for railway construction.

Cultural and Economic Features

In the early period, agriculture formed the basis of Allentown's economy. In the early 1800s, the region was considered one of the largest grain producers in the country. The cultural character of the city was initially formed under the strong influence of German settlers. With the development of industry in the mid-19th century, the population became more diverse due to the influx of Irish and German workers. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the economy diversified: following the decline of the metallurgical industry, silk factories appeared here, as well as enterprises producing furniture, cigars, and beverages.

Chronology of Allentown's History

• 1762 — William Allen, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, founded the city under the name Northampton Town.
• 1777 — During the American Revolutionary War, the famous Liberty Bell was hidden in the city to protect it from British troops who had captured Philadelphia.
• 1811 — The settlement was officially incorporated as the borough of Northampton.
• 1812 — Northampton Town became the administrative centre of the newly formed Lehigh County.
• 1829 — The opening of the Lehigh Canal provided the city with an important transport route for transporting coal and goods, boosting its economic growth.
• 1838 — The city was officially renamed Allentown in honour of its founder, William Allen.
• 1855 — The completion of the Lehigh Valley Railroad turned Allentown into a major transport and industrial hub.
• 1867 — Allentown received city status.
• 1905 — Mack Trucks moved its headquarters to Allentown, which defined its reputation as an automotive manufacturing centre for many years.
• 1917 — The Mack AC model trucks, produced in Allentown, earned the nickname "Bulldog" from British soldiers for their reliability during the First World War.
• 1950s — The city reached the peak of its industrial development, becoming one of the key industrial centres of the region.
• 1980s — Billy Joel's song "Allentown" drew national attention to the city's economic difficulties associated with the decline of heavy industry.
• 2009 — The Mack Trucks headquarters moved from Allentown to Greensboro, North Carolina, ending an entire era in the city's industrial history.
• 2010s — The beginning of a large-scale programme to reconstruct and revitalise the city centre, including the construction of the PPL Center sports arena and new commercial buildings.

Key Milestones in the Development of Allentown

The history of Allentown is a journey from a modest settlement to an industrial giant and its subsequent transformation into a modern city. Below are the main stages that defined its appearance and economy.

• Becoming a Transport Hub (19th Century): The opening of the Lehigh Canal in 1829 and the launch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1855 turned Allentown into a strategically important logistics centre. This provided a powerful impetus for the transport of coal and industrial goods, laying the foundation for future economic growth.
• Industrial Flourishing (Mid-19th — Early 20th Century): The city became one of the key centres of the American Industrial Revolution. Metallurgical plants flourished here, producing iron and rails for the entire country. Later, the economy diversified with the emergence of large silk factories, brewing facilities, and cigar manufacturing.
• The Mack Trucks Era (20th Century): The relocation of the headquarters and main production of Mack Trucks to Allentown in 1905 defined the city's identity for decades. Allentown became synonymous with American truck manufacturing, and the reliable "Mack" trucks became its most famous export product.
• Symbol of the "Rust Belt" (1970s–1980s): With the decline of heavy industry, the city faced mass unemployment. This difficult period was captured in Billy Joel's famous song "Allentown" (1982), which became an anthem for the working class and drew the nation's attention to the economic problems of America's industrial cities.
• Transition to a Service Economy (Late 20th Century): In response to deindustrialisation, Allentown began to reorient its economy. The service sector, healthcare, and education became new drivers of growth, gradually replacing heavy industry.
• Large-scale City Centre Revitalisation (21st Century): In the 2010s, a massive programme was launched to renovate and revitalise the business centre of the city. A key project was the construction of the modern PPL Center sports arena, around which new office buildings, hotels, and restaurants have risen, giving new impetus to Allentown's development.

Allentown's architectural landscape represents a visual history of its development — from a modest colonial settlement to a thriving industrial centre and a modern city undergoing a renaissance. The variety of styles reflects the key economic and cultural eras the city has passed through.

Early Period and Victorian Era

The initial development of Allentown, founded in 1762, was characterised by simple log and stone houses in the spirit of Pennsylvania German settlements. One of the few surviving examples of early colonial architecture is Trout Hall, built in 1770 in the Georgian style. The industrial boom of the 19th century radically changed the city. The wealth brought by the coal industry and railway construction was reflected in opulent Victorian architecture. The Old Allentown Historic District still impresses today with well-preserved buildings in Italianate, Second Empire, and Queen Anne styles, demonstrating the city's prosperity in that era.

Early 20th Century: From Neoclassicism to Art Deco

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, monumental styles dominated the architecture of public buildings. A striking example is the Historic Lehigh County Courthouse, executed in the traditions of Neoclassicism and symbolising the growing civic status of the city. However, the true architectural icon of Allentown became the PPL Building, constructed in 1928. This 24-storey skyscraper is an outstanding example of the Art Deco style, which at the time embodied modernity, power, and technological progress. Its stepped silhouette and decorative elements made it the most recognisable building in the Lehigh Valley.

Modern Architecture and Renaissance

The second half of the 20th century, marked by economic decline, did not bring significant architectural projects to the city. However, in the 21st century, a new era began, associated with a large-scale programme to revitalise the city centre. The key object of this period was the modern multi-purpose arena, the PPL Center, the opening of which spurred the construction of new office buildings, hotels, and residential complexes. This new development, executed in a modern functional style, sits alongside historical buildings, creating an eclectic yet dynamic urban landscape and symbolising the successful reimagining of Allentown's industrial past.

Notable People Associated with Allentown

Allentown and the Lehigh Valley have been the birthplace or an important stage in life for many notable figures in various fields — from industry and politics to art and sports. These individuals have left their mark not only on local history but also on national and world history.

• William Allen — The city's founder. Serving as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania and Mayor of Philadelphia, he founded the settlement in 1762, which initially bore the name Northampton Town but was later renamed in his honour.
• Harry Trexler — Industrialist and philanthropist. A key figure in the economic development of Allentown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a co-founder of the Lehigh Portland Cement Company, invested in utilities, and bequeathed a significant part of his fortune to charity and the development of the city's park system.
• Lee Iacocca — A legend of the automotive industry. Born and raised in Allentown, the son of Italian immigrants. Iacocca had a brilliant career at Ford, where he led the development of the famous Ford Mustang, and then headed the Chrysler Corporation, which he saved from bankruptcy in the 1980s.
• Keith Jarrett — Jazz pianist and composer. A native of Allentown, he is considered one of the greatest improvisers and most influential jazz musicians of modern times. His album "The Köln Concert" is the best-selling piano recording in history.
• Amanda Seyfried — Hollywood actress and singer. Born and raised in Allentown, she graduated from William Allen High School. She gained worldwide fame thanks to roles in films such as "Mamma Mia!", "Les Misérables", and "Mank", for which she was nominated for an Oscar.
• Lauren Weisberger — Author. Although born in Scranton, Weisberger moved to Allentown at the age of 11 and finished school here. She is the author of the global bestseller "The Devil Wears Prada", based on her experience working at Vogue magazine.
• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — Actor, producer, and former wrestler. He spent part of his teenage years in neighbouring Bethlehem, where he attended Freedom High School. Johnson has repeatedly spoken warmly about his time spent in the Lehigh Valley and called it an important stage in his development.