Allentown, Pennsylvania

Once the second-largest steel producer in America, Bethlehem Steel forged the beams for the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, and most U.S. warships.

Hold onto your hats, folks, because this isn't just any old bridge; it's a survivor! Manasses Guth Covered Bridge, built way back when Abe Lincoln was still finding his footing, has seen more than its fair share of…

Before you, the Hill to Hill Bridge isn't just a way across the Lehigh River; it's a symbol of Bethlehem's progress. Back in the early 1920s, Bethlehem was booming, but getting from the north to the south side was a…

Get ready to experience a slice of history, because you're approaching the grand Hotel Bethlehem! This place isn't just a hotel; it's a landmark that has welcomed dignitaries and celebrities for over a century. The…

Believe it or not, this unassuming spot was once home to what's believed to be the oldest pump-powered public water supply in the entire United States. Back in 1762, the Moravian community here in Bethlehem built this…

Ever wonder how colonists turned animal hides into leather? Here in Bethlehem, you're near a rare surviving example: The Tannery. Built in 1761 by the Moravian community, this limestone building was where they processed…

Imagine weary travelers from the 1700s finding respite at this inn built by the Moravian community. This is the Moravian Sun Inn, built in Bethlehem. The Moravian community built this inn in the eighteenth century to…

Imagine a community built on faith, literally brick by brick. That's Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, thanks to the Moravians. In the mid-1700s, these Protestant settlers, seeking religious freedom, established a communal…

This unassuming brick building played a crucial role in forging America's industrial might. Bethlehem Steel's Lehigh Plant Mill #2 Annex, also known as Merchant Mill No. 2, hummed with activity as part of a sprawling…

These aren't just old timbers; they're the heart of a community's dream. The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, also known as the 1741 Gemeinhaus, stands as the oldest building in Bethlehem. Built by the Moravians, a…

Ever wonder why a place like Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, had a silk mill? This complex whispers tales of a once-booming industry. The Bethlehem Silk Mill began in 1886. It grew over the next 15 years, eventually becoming a…

Pull over here! You're looking at a piece of Bethlehem history: the Goundie House, believed to be the town's first brick building. Back in 1810, John Sebastian Goundie, the town brewer, built this place. It wasn't just…

Founded on Christmas Eve 1741 by Moravian settlers, Bethlehem became a center of early American music and communal living.

Pull over for a moment and picture this: you're looking at what's believed to be the oldest continuously occupied building in the entire Lehigh Valley. It's called the Shelter House. Built around 1734, the Shelter House…

These aren't just old brick towers; they're the silent giants that fueled America's building boom! They're the Coplay Cement Company Kilns. Built between 1892 and 1893, these Schoefer vertical kilns churned out Portland…

Step back in time at this charming covered bridge, a relic of 19th-century craftsmanship and rural life. This is the Geiger Covered Bridge, built back in 1860. This 112-foot-long bridge uses a Burr Truss design, a…

This spot marks the heart of an iron empire that helped fuel America's industrial revolution. David Thomas, a Welsh immigrant, arrived in the Lehigh Valley in 1839 to introduce hot blast iron making. He later founded…

This historic change bridge once spanned the Lehigh River, serving as a vital link for canal traffic. Built between 1856 and 1857, the Chain Bridge, also called the Lehigh Canal Swinging Bridge, was designed to allow…

When you say you're starting with a clean slate, you're talking about this exact rock. Before cheap paper, schoolchildren wrote on small framed boards cut from slate, scratching letters with a slate pencil. At day's end…

Look at an old church or a grand stone house and there's a good chance the roof is older than anyone alive. A properly installed slate roof routinely lasts a hundred to a hundred and fifty years, and some have kept…

Here's a town that bet its whole identity on a rock. Slatington sits on the west bank of the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, and it is named, plainly and proudly, for the slate quarried right under it. In…

Slate begins life as the dullest thing imaginable: mud. Layers of fine clay settle on an ancient sea floor and harden into shale. Then the Earth goes to work. Buried deep and squeezed by mountain-building pressure, with…

Lift the felt off any serious pool table and you'll find the same rock Slatington was built on: slate. The reason is physics. A ball rolling true needs a bed that is dead flat and stays that way, and slate can be ground…

Thirsty? This spot isn't just about quenching your thirst; it's about honoring the brave volunteer firefighters of Slatington. Back in 1909, this Fireman's Drinking Fountain was erected. It features a striking zinc…

Pull over here a minute; this spot was once the heart of a Moravian boys' school that shaped generations. Founded in 1756, Nazareth Hall became a boarding school in 1759 for the sons of Moravian families. Boys came here…

Stop here and you're standing at the heart of early Moravian life in Pennsylvania. These two unassuming buildings, the Whitefield House and Gray Cottage, tell a story of faith, resilience, and a fresh start. In 1740, a…

This seemingly peaceful grist mill stands on ground forged in the fires of revolution. In 1727, Durham Furnace roared to life, producing pig and bar iron. For seventy years, it fueled industry, but its most critical…

Marvel at the craftsmanship of this 1873 covered bridge, located next to the historic Levi Sheard Mill. It's more than just a pretty picture; it's a survivor. The Sheard's Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1873,…

Step back in time at this 'iron plantation,' where early Americans forged iron and shaped the nation's industrial landscape. This is the Dale Furnace and Forge Historic District. It operated as an iron furnace and…

Step back in time as we approach Easton Cemetery, the final resting place of some truly remarkable people. Established in 1849, Easton Cemetery reflects the popular rural cemetery movement of the time. Think rolling…

Catch a show at this beautifully restored 1920s theater, a hub for arts and entertainment in Easton. The State Theatre, now officially known as the State Theatre Center for the Arts, first opened its doors in 1926 as a…

Think of this place as a stage where centuries of Easton's story have played out. This historic district showcases the heart of Easton, with buildings dating back to 1752 and representing styles up to 1910. The district…

Imagine traveling by boat along this 60-mile canal, a vital transportation route in the 19th century. The Delaware Canal, completed around 1832, was built to transport anthracite coal from northeastern Pennsylvania to…

Imagine the fiery heart of this iron furnace complex, which once fueled the region's economy. The Sally Ann Furnace Complex, here in Rockland Township, Berks County, was more than just a factory; it was a vital part of…

You're looking at a rare survivor: the Seigle Homestead, the only two-story log house left in Warren County. This wasn't just a house; it was a testament to early American ingenuity and resilience. Built around 1793,…

Believe it or not, this area was once home to a company that made a *lot* of rear-view mirrors. Delbar Products started in 1923 in Philadelphia, originally producing food processing equipment. They shifted gears and…