Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
| Whitehall Township | |
| Township | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lehigh |
| Elevation | 384 ft (117 m) |
| Coordinates | 40°40′00″N 75°30′00″W / 40.66667°N 75.50000°W |
| Area | 12.8 sq mi (33.2 km2) |
| - land | 12.6 sq mi (33 km2) |
| - water | 0.2 sq mi (1 km2), 1.56% |
| Population | 24,896 (2000) |
| Density | 1,981.1 / sq mi (764.9 / km2) |
| Timezone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code | 18052 |
| Area code | 610 |
 Location of Whitehall Township in Lehigh County
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  Location of Whitehall Township in Pennsylvania
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 Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
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| Website: http://www.whitehalltownship.com | |
Whitehall Township is a township in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is a suburb of Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the state.
The population of Whitehall Township was 24,896 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
History [edit]
When the first European settlers came to the Whitehall area, the Lenape Indians have been living on the banks of the Hokendauqua River. The Europeans and the Lenape Indians came togeather, and had made a deal that how far the Europeans are able to walk in 2 days, that's as much land they will gain. So to gain more land, the Europeans had paid a professional runner to run for them. The runner that had run for them had got as far as what is now Jim Thorpe.[citation needed]
Geography [edit]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.1 km²), of which, 12.6 square miles (32.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (1.80%) is water.
The township was originally created on March 20, 1753 and included what is now North Whitehall and South Whitehall Townships. In 1810, a petition was made to the Northampton County Court to split the township into two portions (at the time, the area now encompassed by Lehigh County was part of Northampton County).The name Whitehall refers to a white hall that was built along the Jordan in the early 1700s as a hunting lodge. The area had a large ruffed grouse population along with numerous white-tail deer, eastern elk, eastern wolves, and black bear. Mountain lions or cougars may have also existed within Whitehall Township at some point in time. Because of the rich biodiversity of the area it became known as the wilderness of Whitehall. Old growth forest consisting of oak, tulip poplar, hickory, black walnut, sugar maple, basswood, American chestnut, American beech, and sycamore covered the entire township.
In 1867 eastern portions of both North and South Whitehall were reapportioned into the current Whitehall Township. The new Whitehall Township is generally rectangular in shape, running from NNW to SSE and is situated along the western bank of the Lehigh River. Two years after the new township's formation, the Borough of Coplay was incorporated, removing from the township a square section of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2). Whitehall is drained by the Lehigh River, which separates it from Northampton County and Catasauqua.
Its villages include Cementon, Egypt, Fullerton, Hokendauqua, Mickleys, North Coplay, Scherersville (also in South Whitehall) Stiles, and West Catasauqua. The township's main north-to-south road is MacArthur Road (PA 145), which has an interchange with US 22 in the south and crosses PA 329 in the north.
Adjacent municipalities [edit]
- Catasauqua (east)
- Hanover Township (southeast)
- Allentown (south)
- South Whitehall Township (southwest)
- North Whitehall Township (northwest)
- Allen Township, Northampton County (tangent to the northeast)
- Northampton, Northampton County (northeast)
- Coplay (east)
- North Catasauqua, Northampton County (east)
Maps [edit]
- Official Township Street Map (source: Whitehall Township, PA web site)
- Official Township Zoning Map (source: Whitehall Township, PA web site)
- Township Boundary Map (source: Lehigh County, PA web site)
- Voting District Maps, see below
Demographics [edit]
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 26,738 people living in the township. 83.6% were White, 3.0% were African American, 0.4% were Native American, 4.1% were Asian, 0.0% were Pacific Islander, 5.8% were from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.7% of the population.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 24,896 people, 10,376 households, and 6,817 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,981.1 people per square mile (764.7/km²). There were 10,744 housing units at an average density of 855.0 per square mile (330.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.56% White, 2.74% African American, 0.13% Native American, 3.62% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.
There were 10,376 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 52% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the township the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $43,070, and the median income for a family was $51,597. Males had a median income of $39,175 versus $26,933 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,383. About 4.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education [edit]
Whitehall-Coplay School District serves the township, as well as the borough of Coplay. Students in grades 9–12 from both municipalities attend Whitehall High School.
There also are several parochial and private schools within the Township:
- Good Shepherd Catholic School (K-8)
- Lehigh Valley Lutheran School (K-8)
- Lehigh Valley Seventh-day Adventist School (K-8)
- Little People Day Care School (PK-K)
- St. Elizabeth Regional School (K-8)
- St. Stephens School (PK-K)
Notability [edit]
Historic sites [edit]
The Dent Hardware Company Factory Complex at Fullerton and Helfrich's Springs Grist Mill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]
Businesses [edit]
The Lehigh Valley Mall, the largest Lehigh Valley-based shopping mall, is located in Whitehall Township, as is the Whitehall Mall.
Several radio stations have broadcast facilities within the township (all owned by Clear Channel Communications):
- WAEB (AM) (790 AM), Talk Radio
- WAEB (FM) (104.1 FM), Contemporary/Top 40
- WSAN (1470 AM), Christian Talk Radio/Music
- WZZO (95.1 FM), Rock music
People [edit]
- Brian Knobs, former professional wrestler.
- Dan Koppen, professional football player, Denver Broncos.
- Matt Millen, former professional football player, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins, former President and General Manager, Detroit Lions.
- Jerry Sags, former professional wrestler.
- Curt Simmons, former Major League Baseball player from 1947–1967, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and California Angels.
- Daniel McNeill State Legislative
- Kailyn Lowry, Star of MTV's Teen Mom 2
Government [edit]
Whitehall Township operates as a First Class Township. On November 5, 1974, the township adopted a Home Rule Charter (here) form of government that became effective January 5, 1976.
As part of this governmental arrangement, the Township has separate executive and legislative branches. The legislative branch consists of a Township Board of Commissioners of seven (7) members, each serving 4-year terms. Four of the seats have terms that overlap the remaining three seat terms (e.g. four of the current terms end in 2007, while the remaining 3 terms end in 2009). The seated members then elect a President and Vice President who conduct Board meetings.
The executive branch consists of a Mayor, who also serves a 4-year term. The Mayor may appoint a Deputy Mayor at his/her discretion, with approval from the Board of Commissioners. The Deputy Mayor does not automatically become Mayor should the standing Mayor leave office for any reason—a replacement is to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners.
Whitehall Township also maintains an elected Treasurer who serves a 4-year term.
Voting Districts [edit]
The township is broken into twelve (12) voting districts, each with one polling place. Below is a list of each district, a link to a district map, area covered and the current polling location for the district.
| District | Area Served | Polling Place (map link) |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Olympic Gardens/Spring Ridge/Mickley Run | Church of Christ, 1419 Overlook Rd. |
| District 2 | Fullerton/South of US-22 | Ironworkers Local # 36, 521 Fifth St. |
| District 3 | Fullerton/Jordan Park Area | Ironworkers Local # 36, 521 Fifth St. |
| District 4 | Fullerton/North-East of US-22 | St. John’s Lutheran Church, 835 Third St. |
| District 5 | Fullerton/North-West of US-22 | Fullerton Memorial Comm. Center, 901 Jefferson St. |
| District 6 | West Catasauqua | West Catasauqua Playground Assoc., Pine St. |
| District 7 | Mickley’s and North of Schadt Avenue | Whitehall Recreation Building, 1975 Schadt Avenue |
| District 8 | Hokendauqua | 1st Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front St. |
| District 9 | Stiles | St. John the Baptist Catholic Church—Ruffena, 3120 Chestnut St. |
| District 10 | Egypt | Egypt Fire Company, 4099 Kuhn Lane |
| District 11 | Cementon | St. Paul’s Parish Hall, 2nd & Leisenring Sts. |
| District 12 | Presidential Drive/Helfrich Springs | Islamic Center of the Lehigh Valley, 1988 Schadt Avenue |
Map source: Lehigh County, PA web site
Current Officials [edit]
Township [edit]
Mayor [edit]
- Edward Hozza, Jr. (D; $83,628.00 {2012, 2013}, $83,628.00 {2014, 2015}[3] ); 2015
Township Treasurer [edit]
- Diane M. Hunsicker (D; $59,000 {2010, 2011}, $64,385 {2012, 2013);[4] 2013
Township Commissioners [edit]
- Linda K. Snyder Sr., President (D; $4,125[5]); 2013
- Phillip Ginder, Vice President (D; $4,125); 2015
- Paul F. Geissinger, Secretary (D; $4,125); 2013
- Clair Hunsberger (D; $4,125); 2015
- Gerard Palagonia (D; $4,125); 2013
- Dennis Hower (D; $4,125); 2015
- Thomas Slonaker (D: $4,125); 2013[6][7]
Lehigh County [edit]
County Executive [edit]
William Hansel(D; $75,000); 2013
County Commissioners [edit]
- 1st County District
- Thomas C. Creighton III (R; $5,500); 2013
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- Whitehall Districts: 2, 4–12 (plus others outside Whitehall)
- 4th County District
- Daniel K. McCarthy, Vice Chair (D; $5,500); 2013
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- Whitehall Districts: 1, 3 (plus others outside Whitehall)
as of 2014 Whitehall entirely in 1st county District
Pennsylvania [edit]
Senate [edit]
- 18th State Senatorial District: Lisa Boscola (D; $72,187); 2010 (District map)
State House [edit]
- 133rd State Legislative District
- Joseph F. Brennan (D; $73,614); 2010
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- Whitehall Districts: 2–6, 8–9 (plus others outside Whitehall)
- 183rd State Legislative District
- Julie Harhart (R; $73,614); 2010
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- Whitehall Districts: 1, 7, 10–12 (plus others outside Whitehall)
Federal [edit]
Senate [edit]
- Senior Senator: Robert Patrick Casey, Jr. (D; $174,000); 2012
- Junior Senator: Pat Toomey (R; $174,000); 2016
House [edit]
- 15th District of Pennsylvania Charlie Dent (R; $174,000); 2012 (District map)
Sources [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
- ^ "§ 1-13. Compensation of Mayor.". eCode360.com. Retrieved 15-May-2012.
- ^ William, Ford. "In a numbers game, Hunsicker looks to be No. 1". The Morning Call. Retrieved 15-May-2012.
- ^ "§ 1-7. Compensation of Commissioners.". eCode360.com. Retrieved 15-May-2012.
- ^ Appointed on 15-May-2012 to replace Bruce Brinker who died in office.
- ^ Amanda, Greisser. "Whitehall Township names Thomas Slonaker the newest township commissioner". lehighvalleylive.com/Express-Times. Retrieved 15-May-2012.
External links [edit]
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