Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
1854 - Allentown

Allentown, formerly Northampton, a thriving borough, capital of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on Jordan creek, an affluent of the Lehigh, half a mile from the latter ; 85 miles E. N. E. from Harrisburg, and 61 miles N. by W. from Philadelphia. It is pleasantly situated on an eminence ; the streets are wide and straight, and the dwellings are substantially built of brick and stone. It contains a court-house, an academy, 2 public libraries, 5 churches, a bank, and 6 newspaper offices. A substantial stone bridge crosses the Jordan creek, and another the Lehigh, near this place. The canal of the Lehigh Coal Company, which passes through Allentown, contributes largely to its prosperity. The proposed railroad leading from Easton to Mauch Chunk will, when completed, pass through this town. The adjacent country is fertile, and highly improved, forming part of the great valley which is enclosed between the Blue Mountain and the South Mountain, and abounds in excellent limestone. The county also contains extensive beds of iron ore and roofing-slate.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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