Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown, Pennsylvania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Allentown.jpg
Author: Paul Leiby


Allentown is the third biggest and fastest growing city in Pennsylvania. It covers 18 sq mi (46.5 sq km) and has a population of 118,000 people (2011 estimate), within a metropolitan area of 816,000 people.

George Taylor House, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Taylor_House.jpg
Author: Allreet


Allentown is located by the banks of Lehigh River, within Lehigh Valley, in Lehigh Coounty, bounded by the Blue Mountain. It is the county seat of Lehigh County. The city experiences a humid continental climate, with cold winters and hot, muggy summers.

July is the hottest month, with average high temperatures rising to 83.9°F (28.8°C). On the other hand January is the coldest month when average low temperature drops to 19.1°F (-7.2°C). Rain tends to be quite evenly distributed, although summer months are the wettest part of the year, with September receiving 4.37 in (111 mm) of rain. Heavy snow can be expected in January and February.

Allentown was named after William Allen, a shipping magnate and mayor of Philadelphia. Allen created the town in 1762 and called it Northampton Town. The original town plan - still in existence, kept by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, had forty-two city blocks, with many of the streets carrying the names of Allen's children.

By the 19th century, Northampton Town became popularly known as Allentown, and in 1838, it was officially renamed so. Allentown was then incorporated as a city in 1867.

During the American Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell - then called the Pennsylvania State House bell - was kept hidden from the British in Allentown, safe in the basement of the Old Zion Reformed Church.

Allentown had its first taste of industrialization in the mid-19th century, when it was a center for iron, railroad and brewery industries. It suffered a slowdown during the Long Depression (1873-96). Its economy rebounded in the early 20th century, buoyed by the silk and textile industries. These lasted until the Great Depression (1930s), which closed down many of the factories in the city. Today Allentown has moved on, becoming a center for service industries and some remnants of manufacturing.

Visiting Allentown

You can fly to Allentown, arriving at the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), which receives flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington DC.

Interstate 78 and 476 are the two major highways connecting Allentown with the rest of the country.

Places of Interest in Allentown

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