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Additionally, the City and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce organize several events that take place downtown on PPL Plaza on Hamilton Streets between 7th and 8th Streets. In the summer, weekly events include Summer in the City Concert Series on every Tuesday during lunch, the Plaza Growers Market and Homegrown Music Series every Wednesday during lunch and, new in 2009, the Jamming Afterwork on the Plaza every Thursday.
Additionally, the City and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce organize several events that take place downtown on PPL Plaza on Hamilton Streets between 7th and 8th Streets. In the summer, weekly events include Summer in the City Concert Series on every Tuesday during lunch, the Plaza Growers Market and Homegrown Music Series every Wednesday during lunch and, new in 2009, the Jamming Afterwork on the Plaza every Thursday.


Furthermore, the City maintains an events calendar[http://www.allentownpa.gov] to inform visitors, citizens and businesses of all the events happening each day city-wide.
Furthermore, the City maintains an events calendar[http://www.allentownpa.gov/Community/EventsCalendar/tabid/56/Default.aspx] to inform visitors, citizens and businesses of all the events happening each day city-wide.


===Sports===
===Sports===

Revision as of 19:18, 25 April 2009

Allentown
City
City of Allentown
View of Center City Allentown in 2008
View of Center City Allentown in 2008
Official seal of Allentown
Seal
Nickname(s): 
"The Queen City".[1] , "A-Town"".[2] "Band City USA".[3] "Peanut City",[4] "Silk City".[5]
Motto: 
"Sic Semper Tyrannis"
Location in Lehigh County
Location in Lehigh County
Country United States
Commonwealth Pennsylvania
CountyLehigh
Founded1762
IncorporatedMarch 12, 1867
Founded byWilliam Allen
Named forWilliam Allen
Government
 • MayorEd Pawlowski (D)
Area
 • City46.5 km2 (18.0 sq mi)
 • Land45.9 km2 (17.8 sq mi)
 • Water0.6 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
 • Urban
749.79 km2 (289.50 sq mi)
Elevation
103 m (338 ft)
Population
 (2000)
 • City106,632
 • Density2,320.8/km2 (6,011.5/sq mi)
 • Urban
576,408
 • Metro
740,395
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)610, 484
Websitehttp://www.allentownpa.org
For the song by Billy Joel, see "Allentown (song)."
For the neighborhood in Pittsburgh, see Allentown (Pittsburgh)

Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,632.[6] It is the county seat of Lehigh County.[7]

Located on the Lehigh River, Allentown is the largest of three adjacent cities that make up a region of eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey known as the Lehigh Valley, with the cities of Bethlehem and Easton nearby. Allentown is 60 miles (97 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city in the United States, 80 miles (130 km) east of Harrisburg, the state capital, and 90 miles (140 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.

Two four-year colleges, Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College, are located in Allentown. Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, a very popular amusement park, is located just outside of the city.

Air transport to and from the city is available through Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE, ICAO: KABE).

History

Founding

The area that is today the center of Allentown was laid out as Northampton Town in 1762 by William Allen, a wealthy shipping merchant, former mayor of the city of Philadelphia and then-Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania. The property was part of a 5,000-acre (20 km2) plot Allen purchased in 1735 from his business partner Joseph Turner, who had acquired the land from Thomas Penn, son of William Penn. Allen hoped that Northampton Town would displace Easton as the seat of Northampton County and also become a commercial center due to its location along the Lehigh River and its proximity to Philadelphia. Allen gave the property to his son James in 1767. Three years later, in 1770, James built a summer residence, Trout Hall, in the new town, near the site of his father's former hunting lodge.[8]

On March 18, 1811, the town was formally incorporated as a borough. On March 6, 1812, Lehigh County was formed from the western half of Northampton County, and Northampton Town was selected as the county seat. The town was officially renamed "Allentown" in 1838 after years of popular usage. Allentown was formally incorporated as a city on March 12, 1867.[9]

Liberty Bell

Main article: Liberty Bell

Allentown holds historical significance as the location where the Liberty Bell (then known as the Pennsylvania State House bell) was successfully hidden from the British during the American Revolutionary War. After George Washington's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia was defenseless, and that city prepared for British attack. The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ordered that eleven bells, including the State House bell and the bells from Philadelphia's Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, be taken down and removed from the city to prevent the British, who would melt the bells down to cast into cannons, from taking possession of them. The bells were transported north to Northampton-Towne, and hidden in the basement of the Old Zion Reformed Church, in what is now center city Allentown. Today, a shrine in the church's basement marks the exact spot where the Liberty Bell was hidden. It features a full-size official replica of the Liberty Bell, flanked by the flags of the original thirteen colonies.

File:Allentown centersquare.jpg
Postcard (dated 1914) depicting the "Soldiers & Sailors Monument" in Allentown's Centre Square, which was dedicated in 1899 in honor of the Pennsylvania Volunteers' 47th Regiment in support of the Union in the American Civil War.

American Industrial Revolution

Further information: [[:Industrial Revolution and Second Industrial Revolution]]

Prior to the 1830s, Allentown was a small town with only local markets. The arrival of the Lehigh Canal, however, expanded the city's commerce and industrial capacity greatly. With this, the town underwent significant industrialization, ultimately becoming a major center for heavy industry and manufacturing. While Allentown was not as large as neighboring Bethlehem at the time, the local iron industry still brought many jobs to the city. Railroads, such as the Lehigh Valley Railroad, were vital to the movement of raw materials and finished goods, and employed a significant workforce during this time. This period of rapid economic growth in the region was halted by two events, the Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression.

In addition to the iron and railroad industries, Allentown also had a strong tradition in the brewing of beer and was home to several notable breweries, including the Horlacher Brewery (founded 1897, closed 1978),[10] the Neuweiler Brewery (founded 1875, closed 1968)[11] and Schaefer Beer, whose brewery was later sold to Guinness.[12]

Early 20th century to present

Economic recovery in the early 20th century was brought about by the silk and textile industry. The Adelaide Silk Mill, one of the largest in the world at the time, opened in Allentown in 1881. By 1928, there were over 140 silk and textile mills in the Lehigh Valley, making it the second largest industry in the region. By the 1930s, the silk industry was in worldwide decline, as synthetics were taking the place of silk. Catoir Silk Mill, the last silk mill in Allentown, closed in 1989. In 1905, Mack Trucks moved to Allentown, beginning Allentown's focus on heavy industrial manufacturing. Today, Allentown's economy, like most of Pennsylvania's, is primarily based in the service industry.

Geography

Topography

Allentown is located at 40°36'6" North, 75°28'38" West (40.601697, -75.477328).Template:GR According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.5 km² (18.0 mi²). 45.9 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. Bodies of water include the Jordan Creek and its tributary, the Little Lehigh Creek, which join within the city limits and empty into the Lehigh River. Other bodies of water within the city limits include Muhlenberg Lake in Cedar Creek Parkway and a pond in Trexler Park.

The city sits within the Lehigh Valley, a geographic region bounded by Blue Mountain, a ridge of the Appalachian mountain range, which varies from 1,000 to 1,600 feet (490 m) in height about 12 miles (19 km) north of the city, and South Mountain, a ridge of 500 to 1,000 feet (300 m) in height that borders the southern edge of the city.

The city is the county seat of Lehigh County. The adjacent counties are Carbon County to the north; Northampton County to the northeast and east; Bucks County to the southeast; Montgomery County to the south; and Berks County and Schuylkill County to the west.

Climate

Allentown's climate is considered to fall in the humid continental climate zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Precipitation is almost uniformly distributed throughout the year.

January lows average −6 °C (21 °F) and highs average 1.3 °C (34.3 °F). The lowest officially recorded temperature was −26.7 °C (−16.1 °F) in 1912. July lows average 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and highs average 29.2 °C (84.6 °F), with an average relative humidity (morning) of 82%. The highest temperature on record was 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in 1966. Early fall and mid-winter are generally driest, with October being the driest month with only 74.7 mm of average precipitation.[13]

Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing light snow and others bringing numerous significant snowstorms. Average snowfall is 82.3 centimetres (32.4 in) per year,[14] with the months of January and February receiving the highest at just over 22.86 centimetres (9.00 in) each. Rainfall is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to twelve wet days per month,[15] at an average annual rate of 110.54 centimetres (43.52 in).[16] Template:Allentown Pennsylvania weatherbox

Cityscape

Neighborhoods

Young people gather on 19th Street, in Allentown's West End, 2007.
See also: List of Allentown neighborhoods

Allentown is a City of NeighborhoodsCenter City, which includes the downtown area and the 7th Street retail and residential corridor, is the city's central business district and the host to various city, county and federal government centers. To the east of Center City are "The Wards," the areas that developed as residential areas during the city's industrial boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Just east of the Lehigh River are the city's East Side neighborhoods, most of which border the various routes to nearby Bethlehem. South of Center City, and across the Little Lehigh Creek, are the city's South Side neighborhoods, which border Emmaus. Lastly, there is the West End, which traditionally comprises most neighborhoods west of 15th Street.

Culture

Arts

Allentown is the regional center for the arts in the Lehigh Valley

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra performs at Allentown Symphony Hall, located on North Sixth Street.

The city also has a rich musical heritage of civilian concert bands, and is home to the Allentown Band, the oldest civilian concert band in the United States.[17] The Allentown Band, as well as the Marine Band of Allentown, the Municipal Band of Allentown and the Pioneer Band of Allentown, all regularly perform at the bandshell in the city's West Park.

The Allentown Art Museum, located on North Fifth Street, is home to a collection of over 13,000 pieces of art, along with an associated library.

The Baum Art School, located in downtown Allentown at 5th and Linden Streets, offers credit and non-credit classes in painting, drawing, ceramics, fashion design, jewelry making and more.

Allentown is increasingly gaining a reputation for it's vibrant working artists scene as it is an affordable and welcoming community for artists out-priced by New York and New Jersey real estate prices.

In group of young and emerging artists known as the Chen Artists[1] began organizing in April of 2008 and held their first show, Momentum in December of 2008. The group includes artists living and working in Allentown, as well as regional artists who are interested in exhibiting and selling their work in Allentown. The group includes visual artists, film makers, musicians, dancers, writers, and creative people of all ages who are interested in supporting and promoting the arts in Allentown.

The group is called “Chen Arts” because they meet for good food and conversation at the House of Chen restaurant on Hamilton St. in Allentown. They also meet monthly as a group for parties and events at artist’s studios/homes where they share slides or images of their work. In the spirit of community building we are hopeful that our group will help to promote a positive image of Allentown through the arts. Anyone is welcome to join the group and be a part of the dynamic and growing art scene in Allentown.

Events

The City of Allentown facilitates many events and parades throughout the course of the year. These include Mayfair, the Halloween Parade, the Saint Patrick's Day Parade, and the Half Marathon.

Additionally, the City and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce organize several events that take place downtown on PPL Plaza on Hamilton Streets between 7th and 8th Streets. In the summer, weekly events include Summer in the City Concert Series on every Tuesday during lunch, the Plaza Growers Market and Homegrown Music Series every Wednesday during lunch and, new in 2009, the Jamming Afterwork on the Plaza every Thursday.

Furthermore, the City maintains an events calendar[2] to inform visitors, citizens and businesses of all the events happening each day city-wide.

Sports

Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Lehigh Valley IronPigs IL Baseball Coca-Cola Park 2008 0
Lehigh Valley Jazz NPSL Soccer J. Birney Crum Stadium 2006 0
Northampton Laurels FC WPSL Soccer J. Birney Crum Stadium 2005 0
Pennsylvania Stoners NPSL Soccer J. Birney Crum Stadium 1979 1 (1980)
Philadelphia Force NPF Softball Bicentennial Park 2006 0

Baseball

Main article: History of baseball in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown has a history in the sport of professional baseball that dates back to 1884. In 2008, Allentown unveiled Coca-Cola Park, a $50.25 million, 8,100-seat stadium.[18] The stadium was constructed in east-side Allentown to serve as the home field for the Philadelphia Phillies' AAA-level Minor League baseball team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The IronPigs, a member of the International League, are the first Major League-affiliated club to play in the city since 1960.[19]

Basketball

Allentown hosted the Allentown Jets, an Eastern Professional Basketball League team, from 1958 to 1981. The Jets were one of the most dominant franchises in the league's history, winning eight playoff championships and twelve division titles. The team’s home games were played in Rockne Hall at Allentown Central Catholic High School.

Hockey

On February 12, 2009, the owners of the Philadelphia Phantoms, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, announced their interest in moving the team to Allentown. Should the move come to fruition, the team would play their home games at a proposed new arena to be built on either the Lehigh River front or adjacent to Coca-Cola Park. The team currently plays their home games at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia, which has been largely replaced by the newer Wachovia Center and is scheduled for demolition in late 2009.[20]

Soccer

Allentown is also home to the Stoners, a professional soccer team. From 1979-1983, the Stoners were members of the American Soccer League. The team had a five-year league record of 76-49-25, and won the league championship in 1980.[21] Due to increasing competition from other soccer leagues, and decreasing attendance, the team folded in 1983.[21] The team was resurrected in 2007 as the Pennsylvania Stoners, and competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The team plays its home games at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown. The Easton-based Northampton Laurels FC, of the Women's Premier Soccer League, also play at J. Birney Crum Stadium.

Economy

The PPL Building (seen here in the distance) is the tallest building in Allentown. In the foreground is Allentown's Albertus L. Meyers Bridge, more commonly known as the Eighth Street Bridge.

The city serves as the location of corporate headquarters for several large, global companies, including Air Products & Chemicals,[22] Mack Trucks, PPL, and others.[23] The largest employer in Allentown is Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, with over 7,800 employees.[24]

In 2008, after over 100 years in the city, Mack Trucks announced that their Allentown-based corporate headquarters would be relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina in 2009.[25] It is expected that the move will result in the loss of approximately 400 jobs.[26]

As part of the City's economic development strategy, city administration has forwarded a list of properties slated for redevelopment that are incentivized by the KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone) designation. The properties with the KOZ designation, once redeveloped and code compliant, will be exempt from paying all local property taxes and state corporate income taxes for eleven years starting in 2011. An earlier round of this legislation was successful in incentivizing the redevelopment of a number of properties including the former Hess Department Store into PPL Plaza as well as the Butz Corporate Center, the Allentown Brew Works and the Bridgework by the Creek industrial condominiums.

Shopping

Hess's department store, and the downtown area along Hamilton Street in Center City, was the primary shopping district in Allentown until the 1970s and 1980s. Around this time, increased suburbanization led to a rapid decline in the popularity of the downtown shopping district, which culminated in Hess's being sold-off in 1994 and subsequently demolished in 2000.

In 1966, the Whitehall Mall opened along MacArthur Road, just north of Allentown in Whitehall Township. It was the first enclosed shopping center north of Philadelphia when it opened,[27] and its popularity led to the rise of a sprawling retail district along MacArthur Road that continued to expand into the early 1990s. After a major renovation in 1998, the Whitehall Mall's anchors included Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, and Sears.[27]

In the early 1970s, Hess's South, a satellite location of the Hess's downtown store, expanded to become the South Mall, located in South Allentown, at the city's border with Salisbury Township and Emmaus.[28] Today, the South Mall's anchors include Gold's Gym, Petco, Staples, Stein Mart, and The Bon-Ton.

In 1976, the Lehigh Valley Mall opened, just south of the Whitehall Mall, at the intersection of U.S. Route 22 and MacArthur Road. With over 140 stores, the Lehigh Valley Mall became the largest shopping mall in the region, and presently has anchors including Boscov's, JCPenney and Macy's. A large outdoor shopping addition opened in October 2007, and includes stores such as Apple and Barnes & Noble. Most recently, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, a large, upscale outdoor shopping mall, opened just south of the city, near Pennsylvania Route 309 and Interstate 78, in Upper Saucon Township.

The 19th Street area, in the affluent West End neighborhood within a easy walk to Muhlenberg College, represents an dynamic retail district with interesting shops, an independent coffee house and the Civic Theatre offering a combination of live theatre and independent cinema. The 19th Street shopping district is located adjacent to the Allentown Farmers' Market, a vibrant attraction in the Allentown Fairgrounds.

Allentown has identified the 7th Street commercial district as an important gateway to the downtown from Route 22. As such, this district was designated by the Pennsylvania DCED as the 7th Street Main Street Program. Established in 2007, the Main Street Program has contributed substantially to the vibrant commercial district of mom and pop stores and ethnic eateries by managing facade renovation projects, streetscape improvements and organizing events.

Additionally, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce hired the Pennsylvania Downtown Center in 2007/08 to manage a community visioning project for downtown Allentown. This project attracted over 100 volunteers, now working in five committees. It is expected that they will make application for Main Street status for the Hamilton Street district in 2009.

Media

File:PA-LEHIGH-MORNINGCALL.jpg
Headquartered in center ctiy Allentown, The Morning Call is among the 100 largest circulation newspapers in the United States.[29]

Print

Allentown-based print media include The Morning Call, the city's daily newspaper, and Pulse Weekly, an arts and entertainment newspaper.

Television

Allentown is part of the Philadelphia DMA (designated market area).[30] The four major Philadelphia-based network stations serving Allentown include: KYW-TV (CBS), WCAU (NBC), WPVI (ABC) and WTXF (Fox). Other available Philadelphia stations include: WPHL-TV, WPSG, and others. Several New York City stations also serve the area, including WPIX and WWOR-TV.

Additionally, the city is served by three Lehigh Valley television stations: WFMZ Channel 69 (independent) and WBPH-TV (Christian), both in Allentown, and WLVT Channel 39 (PBS) in Bethlehem.[31][32][33] Two cable systems, RCN Corporation (originally Twin County Cable) and Service Electric Cable TV, Inc., have served the city since the 1960s.[34]

Radio

Allentown's radio market is ranked 68th largest in the United States by Arbitron.[35] Stations licensed to Allentown include WAEB-AM (talk, news and sports), WAEB-FM (Top 40 music), WDIY (NPR and public radio), WHOL (tropical music), WLEV (adult contemporary music), WMUH (Muhlenberg College campus radio), WSAN (Fox Sports Radio and Philadelphia Phillies broadcasts), WZZO (hard rock music) and others. In addition, many New York City and Philadelphia stations receive reception in Allentown.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790486—
180057317.9%
181071023.9%
18201,13259.4%
18301,75755.2%
18402,49341.9%
18503,70348.5%
18608,025116.7%
187013,88473.0%
188018,06330.1%
189025,28840.0%
190035,41640.1%
191051,91346.6%
192073,50241.6%
193092,56325.9%
194096,9044.7%
1950106,75610.2%
1960108,3471.5%
1970109,8711.4%
1980103,758−5.6%
1990105,3011.5%
2000106,6321.3%
2007 (est.)107,117[36]
US Census Bureau[37]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 106,632 people and 25,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,320.8/km² (6,011.5/mi²). There were 45,960 housing units at an average density of 1,000.3/km² (2,591.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.55% White, 7.85% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 13.37% from other races, and 3.55% from two or more races. 24.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

There were 42,032 households in the city, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18, 39.4% had married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% had non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The city's average household size is 2.42 and the average family size was 3.09.

The city's population broken down by age ranges was 24.8% under 18, 11.2% from 18-24, 29.8% from 25-44, 19.1% from 45-64, and 15.1% 65 years or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,016, and the median income for a family was $37,356. Males had a median income of $30,426 versus $23,882 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,282. 18.5% of the population and 14.6% of families were below the poverty line. 29.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

At 322 feet (98 m) tall, the headquarters of PPL is the tallest building in Allentown.

Government

Politics and elections

See also: List of mayors of Allentown, Pennsylvania

The city uses the "strong-mayor" version of the mayor-council form of government, which is headed by one mayor, in whom executive authority is vested. Elected "at-large," the mayor serves a four year term under the city's home rule charter.[38] The current city mayor is Democrat Ed Pawlowski, who replaced Roy C. Afflerbach after his single-term in office from 2002 to 2006. The legislative branch, the Allentown City Council, consists of seven council members elected at large for four-year staggered terms.[38] City Council holds regular public meetings in order to enact legislation in the form of ordinances and resolutions. The current president of the City Council is Michael D'Amore.[39] The City Controller, who is responsible for the oversight of the city's finances, is also elected and serves a four-year term.[40]

Crime

In 2006, the known criminal offenses in Allentown, as reported to the FBI, included around 800 violent crimes and over 7,000 property crimes. With the exception of aggravated assault, Allentown exceeded national averages in all criminal categories. Most notable, cases of arson in Allentown were nearly double the national average.[41] Other crimes in Allentown that substantially exceeded national averages were robbery, murder and forcible rape. In 2007, incidents of reported crimes in the city dropped, with violent crime dropping by 18 percent and all crime dropping by 9 percent.[42]

The total reported violent crimes in Allentown was comparable to the 2003 national average (1.01 times the average). Individual violent crime rates per capita compared to U.S. national averages were: robbery (1.54 times avg.), murder (1.47 times avg.), forcible rape (1.32 times avg.), and aggravated assault (0.57 times avg.). The total reported property crimes in Allentown exceeded the 2003 national average by 1.21 times. Individual property crime rates per capita compared to the U.S. national average were: arson (1.71 times avg.), burglary (1.23 times avg.), larceny/theft (1.22 times avg.), and automobile theft (1.08 times avg.).

Allentown's crime statistics are heightened significantly by gang-related crime and gang rival and retaliatory violence stemming from the presence of many of the nation's most violent gangs in the city.[43] In the 1990s, anti-gang initiatives in New York City and elsewhere resulted in an increased population of gang members in Allentown, particularly in the city's center city area.[44] Gangs including 18th Street, Black Dragons, Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, Los Solidos, Mexican Mafia, MS-13 all have a presence in Allentown and/or the Lehigh Valley region.[44] Over 75% of the homicides in Allentown during 2007 were drug or gang-related killings.[43] In 2008, a multimillion dollar methamphetamine ring operating in Allentown and the surrounding region, with ties to the Crips organization, was broken up by narcotics agents.[45] The city has undertaken various initiatives, including participation in the federally-funded "Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative" and the reorganization of the city police department, in an attempt to combat the problem.[46][47] Drug trafficking, prostitution, and street drag racing are all current city-wide criminal concerns.

Allentown has instituted a community policing strategy that has reorganized the city's police department into different districts, each with their own captain, who acts as a "mini-chief." This strategy has also included hiring more police officers, with increases in bicycle and foot patrols in the city's downtown area.

Education

Public schools

Main article: Allentown School District

The City of Allentown is served by the Allentown School District, which is the fourth largest school district in Pennsylvania, with 18,118 students (based on 2005-2006 enrollment data).[48]

The city maintains two public high schools for grades 9-12, William Allen High School, which serves students from the southern and western parts of the city, and Louis E. Dieruff High School, which serves students from the eastern and northern parts. Each of these Allentown area high schools competes athletically in the Lehigh Valley Conference. Both schools play their home football games at J. Birney Crum Stadium.

Allentown School District's four middle schools, for grades 6-8, include: Francis D. Raub Middle School, Harrison-Morton Middle School, South Mountain Middle School and Trexler Middle School. The city is served by 16 elementary schools, for kindergarten through fifth grade, including: Central, Cleveland, Hiram W. Dodd, Jackson, Jefferson, Lehigh Parkway, Lincoln, McKinley, Midway Manor, Mosser, Muhlenberg, Ritter, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Union Terrace and Washington. The Roberto Clemente Charter School, also located in the Allentown School District, is a Title I charter school which provides educational services to mainly Hispanic students in grades 6 through 12.

The Allentown School District is currently undertaking a 10 year, $120 million facilities improvement plan. The plan includes renovation of all 23 schools in the district. Most of the schools to be renovated will be expanded. Two additional elementary schools and a fifth middle school are expected to be built.[49]

File:MuhlenbergHaasCenter.JPG
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is one of two four-year colleges located in Allentown.

Private schools

Allentown has two parochial high schools, Allentown Central Catholic High School and Lehigh Valley Christian High School, though both schools draw students from both Allentown and the city's suburbs. Other Allentown-based parochial schools (serving all grades) include: Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena School, Holy Spirit School, Lehigh Christian Academy, Mercy Special Learning Center, Our Lady Help of Christians School, Sacred Heart School, Saint Francis of Assisi School, Saint Paul School, and Saint Thomas More School. Parochial schools in Allentown are operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. The Grace Montessori School is a pre-school and early elementary Montessori school run as an outreach of Grace Episcopal Church. The Swain School, a non-sectarian private school founded in 1929, is also located in Allentown.

Higher education

Two four-year colleges are located in Allentown: Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College.

Infrastructure

Airports

The city's primary airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE, ICAO: KABE), is located three miles (5 km) northeast of Allentown in Hanover Township. The city is also served by Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport, a two-runway general aviation facility used predominantly by private aviation.

Roads

Four expressways run through the Allentown area, with associated exits to the city: Interstate 78, which runs from Harrisburg in the west to New York City's Holland Tunnel in the east; the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, (which is part of I-476), runs from Plymouth Meeting outside Philadelphia in the south to Interstate 81 at Clarks Summit in the north; Pennsylvania Route 309, which runs from Philadelphia in the south to The Poconos in the north; and U.S. Route 22, which runs from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east.

There are nine major inbound roads to Allentown: Airport Road, Cedar Crest Boulevard, Fullerton Avenue, Hamilton Boulevard, Lehigh Street, Mauch Chunk Road, Pennsylvania Route 145 (MacArthur Road), Tilghman Street, and Union Boulevard.

Buses

File:Berninger eighthstbridge.jpg
Eighth Street Bridge (dated 1933) by Allentown artist John E. Berninger. Now known as the Albertus L. Meyers Bridge, this painting depicts a neighborhood demolished about 1969 on Allentown's Lawrence Street.

Public transportation within Allentown is provided by LANTA, a public bus system serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Several private bus lines, including Bieber Tourways, Susquehanna Trailways and Trans-Bridge Lines, provide bus service from Allentown to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal, Philadelphia's Greyhound Terminal, Atlantic City's Bus Terminal, and other regional locations.

Rail

Historically, Allentown has been served by Central Railroad of New Jersey, Conrail, Lehigh and New England Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, and Reading Railroad. While Allentown currently has no passenger rail service (the last public rail service, which was part of the Bethlehem-Philadelphia service provided by Conrail under contract with SEPTA, ceased operating in 1979), several of the Allentown-area stations once used for passenger service have been preserved through their current commercial use. In November 2008, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), along with both Lehigh and Northampton Counties, commissioned a study to explore the merits of expanding the New Jersey Transit line to the Lehigh Valley, which would potentially include stops in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.[50]

Allentown is a regional center for commercial rail traffic. Currently, Norfolk Southern's primary hump classification yards are located in Allentown,[51] and the city is also served by the R.J. Corman Railroad Group.[52]

Template:Lehigh Valley Travel

Telecommunications

Allentown and the Lehigh Valley area were once served only by the 215 area code from 1947 (when the North American Numbering Plan of the Bell System went into effect) until 1994. With the city and region's growing population, however, Allentown and its surrounding areas were afforded area code 610 in 1994. Today, the city of Allentown is covered by 610. An overlay area code, 484, was added to the 610 service area in 1999.[53] A plan to introduce area code 835 as an additional overlay was rescinded in 2001.[54]

Parks and recreation

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom's Steel Force and Thunderhawk roller coasters, just outside Allentown. Steel Force opened in 1997 as the tallest and fastest roller coaster on the East Coast of the United States, with a first drop of 205 feet (62 m) and a top speed of 75 miles per hour (121 km/h).[55]

City parks

Much of the city's park system can be attributed to the efforts of industrialist Harry Clay Trexler. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement in the early 1900s, Trexler helped create West Park, a 6.59-acre (26,700 m2) park in what was then a community trash pit and sandlot baseball field[56] in an upscale area of the city. The park, which opened in 1909, features a bandshell, designed by noted Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, which has long been home to the Allentown Band and other community bands.[56] Trexler also facilitated the development of Trexler Park, Cedar Parkway, Allentown Municipal Golf Course and the Trout Nursery in Lehigh Parkway. Trexler was also responsible for the development of the Trexler Trust, which to this day continues to provide private funding for the maintenance and development of Allentown's park system.[57]

City parks in Allentown include Bicentennial Park (4,600 seat mini-stadium built for sporting events), Cedar Creek Parkway (127 acres, including Lake Muhlenberg, Cedar Beach and the Malcolm W. Gross Memorial Rose Garden), East Side Reservoir (15 acres), Kimmets Lock Park (5 acres), Lehigh Canal Park (55 acres), Lehigh Parkway (999 acres), Old Allentown Cemetery (4 acres), Jordan Park, South Mountain Reservoir (157 acres), Trexler Memorial Park (134 acres), Trout Creek Parkway (100 acres), Joe Daddona Park (19 acres) and West Park (6.59 acres).[57]

Festivals

Mayfair Festival of the Arts, an arts and crafts festival established in 1986, is held each May at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown. The Great Allentown Fair runs annually, in early September, on the grounds of the Allentown Fairgrounds, where it has been held since 1889. The first Allentown Fair was held in 1852, and between 1852 and 1899 it was held at the "Old Allentown Fairgrounds," which was located north of Liberty Street between 5th and 6th streets. The J. Birney Crum Stadium plays host to the Collegiate Marching Band Festival, held annually since 1995, as well as other marching band festivals and competitions.

Stadiums

The city has two large capacity outdoor stadiums. Coca-Cola Park, with an overall capacity of 10,000,[58] was constructed in 2007 and is the home field for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the AAA-level minor league team affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. J. Birney Crum Stadium, used for Lehigh Valley Conference football and other purposes, has a seating capacity in excess of 15,000. The city has no large indoor stadium, but major indoor sporting and concert events are held at Stabler Arena, in neighboring Bethlehem.

Other recreational sites

Other recreational sites in Allentown include Allentown Municipal Golf Course, Cedar Beach Pool, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Fountain Pool, Irving Pool, Jordan Pool and Mack Pool.

Notable residents

Main article: List of notable people from Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown is the birthplace of, or home to, several notable Americans, including:

Allentown's reputation as a rugged blue collar city has led to many references to the city in popular culture:

  • Allentown is the hometown of up and coming showgirl Peggy Sawyer in the long-running, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical 42nd Street and its associated Academy Award-nominated movie. When Sawyer expresses her desire to leave Broadway to return to Allentown, the show's director and entire cast successfully dissuade her by singing the famed musical number "The Lullaby of Broadway."
  • In the musical Bye Bye Birdie, character Rosie Alvarez is from Allentown. In the song "Spanish Rose," she sings: "I'm just a Spanish Tamale according to Mae/ Right off the boat from the tropics, far, far away/ Which is kinda funny, since where I come from is Allentown, PA."
  • The TV production company Medstar Television, which produces the series Forensic Files, is headquartered in Allentown. Locations throughout the city have been used as settings for dramatic re-enactments of crimes profiled by the show.
  • Allentown is mentioned in the opening lyric of the Frank Zappa song "200 Years Old," which appears on his 1975 album Bongo Fury.
  • On the March 9, 2002 episode of MADtv, in the skit "Religious Christian," a character named Christian leaves his day trading career to preach door to door throughout Allentown. However, his obvious homosexuality leads to an awkward meeting at the Tucke home.
  • On the January 17, 2009 episode of Saturday Night Live, in the skit "Good Excuse," a guest is urged to tell his girlfriend, as an excuse for his breakup with her, that his company is relocating to Allentown.
  • Allentown was home to the character Duane Doberman in The Phil Silvers Show, a CBS comedy series that ran from 1955 to 1959.
Postcard (dated 1916) depicting Allentown's Eighth Street Bridge.
  • Albertus L. Meyers Bridge (built 1913), 8th & Union Sts. Also known as the Eighth Street Bridge, once the longest and highest concrete bridge in the world.[61]
  • Allentown Art Museum (built 1934), 31 N. 5th St. Collection of over 13,000 works of art, along with an associated library.
  • Allentown Cemetery Park (established 1765), 10th & Linden Sts. Burial site of the city's earliest residents, including American Revolutionary War and War of 1812 veterans.[61]
  • Allentown Fairgrounds (established 1889), 400 N. 17th St. Home of the Allentown Fair (started 1852), Allentown Farmers Market, Agri-Plex exhibit hall and The Ritz restaurant.[62]
  • Allentown Post Office (built 1933-34), 5th & Hamilton Sts. Classical Moderne-style building with Art Deco ornamentation. Interior murals of local historical scenes by New York artist Gifford Reynolds Beal.[63]
  • Allentown Symphony Hall (built 1896), 23 N. 6th St. Owned by the Allentown Symphony Association, a 1200-seat performing arts facility that is home to the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, as well as Pennsylvania Sinfonia, Community Concerts of Allentown, Allentown Band and Community Music School of the Lehigh Valley.[64]
  • Bogert's Covered Bridge (built 1841), S. 24th St. & Fish Hatchery Rd. One of the region's oldest covered bridges, a 145-foot (44 m) span over the Little Lehigh Creek in Allentown's Lehigh Parkway.[65]
  • Frank Buchman House, 117 N. 11th St. Home of Frank N. D. Buchman (1878-1961), founder of the Oxford Group and Moral Re-Armament religious movements.
  • Butz-Groff House (built 1872), 111 N. 4th St. Dark stone Victorian home in what was once the center of Allentown's most fashionable residential district. Built by attorney Samuel A. Butz and later owned by his grandson, Joseph C. Groff.[61]
  • Cedar Crest College (founded 1867), 100 College Dr. Liberal arts college with an 84-acre (340,000 m2) campus on the city's western edge.[66]
  • Centre Square and Soldiers & Sailors Monument (built 1899), 7th & Hamilton Sts.[67] Monument honoring American Civil War veterans from the 47th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
  • William F. Curtis Arboretum (started 1915), 100 College Dr. Located at Cedar Crest College, a collection of 140 species of trees registered with the American Public Gardens Association.[68]
  • Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park (built 1939, renovated 1976), Lehigh & S. Howard Sts. Originally Fairview Field, home to the city's Minor League Baseball teams, 1939-47. As Bicentennial Park, hosted the Allentown Ambassadors, 1997-2003.[69]
  • Hess's Department Store (closed 1996 and demolished in 2000).
  • Homeopathic Healing Art Plaque, 31 S. Penn St. Marks the location of the world's first medical college exclusively devoted to the practice of homeopathic medicine. Established in 1835, the college went bankrupt in 1845 and relocated to Philadelphia, where it developed into what is today Hahnemann University Hospital.
  • J. Birney Crum Stadium (built 1948), 22nd & Turner Sts. Home football field of Allentown's three high schools, a 15,000-capacity stadium once the largest in Pennsylvania.
  • Muhlenberg College (founded 1848), 2400 Chew St. Liberal arts college located on an 81-acre (330,000 m2) campus in Allentown's West End.[70]
  • Old Allentown Cemetery (established 1846), N. Fountain & Linden Sts. City's second oldest cemetery, located next to Allentown Cemetery Park. Burial site of Tilghman Good (1830-87), two-term mayor and commander of the 47th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers during the American Civil War.[61]
  • Old Court House County Museum, 5th & Hamilton Sts.
  • Old Zion Reformed Church and Liberty Bell Shrine Museum, 622 Hamilton St. Located on Hamilton Street in center city Allentown, the temporary hiding place of the Liberty Bell in 1777-78 during the Revolutionary War.[71]
Trout Hall, built in 1770 by James Allen (son of Allentown founder William Allen), is the oldest house in Allentown. From 1867 to 1905, it served as the home of Muhlenberg College.
  • Portland Place (built 1902), 718 Hamilton St. Former headquarters of Lehigh Portland Cement Company, remodeled in the art deco style in 1939-40. Over the front door was a glass relief by artist Oronzio Maldarelli, the largest glass mural panel in the world at the time. When the company (now Lehigh Cement Company) relocated, the sculpture was installed in the building's new lobby.[61]
  • PPL Building (built 1928), 9th & Hamilton Sts. Allentown's tallest building (23 stories), headquarters to PPL Corporation.[72]
  • Revolutionary War Plaque (erected 1926), 8th & Hamilton Sts. On the side of the Farr Building, marks the site of a hospital for Revolutionary War soldiers in 1777-78.[61]
  • Sterling Hotel (1890), 343-45 Hamilton St. Three-story, Romanesque-style brick hotel.[73] Now a popular bar and music venue. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1984.[74]
  • Trout Hall (built 1770), 414 Walnut St. Oldest house in Allentown, built by James Allen, son of William Allen, the city's founder.[8]
  • Yocco's Hot Dogs (opened 1922). Regionally-popular restaurant chain with six Lehigh Valley locations, including three in Allentown.

Museums and cultural organizations

Sister cities and twin cities

Allentown has two official sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International[citation needed]:

Allentown also has two designated "twin cities":

References

  1. ^ Whelan, Frank (May 7, 1991), "'Cement City' Moniker Is A Mystery American Heritage Says Label Was Allentown's.", The Morning Call, pp. B.03. "Queen City's origins as an Allentown nickname are obscure. It is believed to come from a turn-of-the-century competition hosted by the Allentown Chamber of Commerce. The winning entry was said to be Queen City."
  2. ^ Wholberg, Julie, "The New Main Street? A-Town's 19th Street Experience", The Morning Call
  3. ^ Salter, Rosa (April 20, 2003), "Two in tune with the times ** At 175, Allentown Band, America's oldest, preserves best of tradition.", The Morning Call, pp. E.01. "1967: Allentown named Band City-U.S.A"
  4. ^ Whelan, Frank (March 13, 2002), "Hamilton Street used to be thick with peanut shells ** And Allentown's Army Camp Crane once had a popular commander.", The Morning Call, pp. B.04. "Allentown's title as the Peanut City goes back to the late 19th and early 20th century when large amounts of them were eaten in the Lehigh Valley. From the 1880s to the 1920s, vendors lined Hamilton Street, singing jingles in Pennsylvania Dutch about the superior quality of their peanuts. Former Call-Chronicle Sunday editor John Y. Kohl recalled in 1967 that the peanuts were eaten mostly by young men and boys who would walk Hamilton Street on Saturday nights flirting with girls and 'throwing the shells about with complete abandon.' Sunday morning sidewalks were 'not quite ankle deep' in shells. Merchants would get up early to sweep them into the gutter so churchgoers would not have to wade through them.'"
  5. ^ Whelan, Frank (May 7, 1991), "Cement City' Moniker Is A Mystery American Heritage Says Label Was Allentown's.", The Morning Call, pp. B.03. "Silk City for example, is a throwback to the late 19th and early 20th century, when Allentown was known for its many silk mills. Although the last mill closed a few years ago, the name hangs on in the minds of older residents."
  6. ^ "State & County Quick Facts: Allentown, Pennsylvania". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-06-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Date= ignored (|date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "About Lehigh County". Lehigh County official website. Retrieved 2006-06-08.
  8. ^ a b Roberts, Charles R. (1908). "William Allen, the Founder of Allentown, and His Descendants" (PDF). Proceedings of the Lehigh County Historical Society (1st). Allentown, Pennsylvania: Lehigh County Historical Society: 22–43. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  9. ^ "Lehigh County - 4th class" (PDF). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  10. ^ "Horlacher Brewing Company". Retrieved 2007-06-01.
  11. ^ "Neuweiler Brewery". Retrieved 2007-06-01.
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  19. ^ ""Minor league park was a major hit," Morning Call, March 30, 2008". Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  20. ^ "Minor league hockey could be headed for Lehigh Valley," The Express-Times, February 5, 2009.
  21. ^ a b Long, Ernie (1999). "The Popular Stoners Were Hurt By League: ASL Got Away From What Made It Successful, Which Destroyed Allentown Team". The Morning Call. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ "Air Products Web Page Listing of Corporate Headquarters". Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  23. ^ "Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation - Largest Lehigh Valley Employers" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-06-01.
  24. ^ "100 Best Companies to Work for 2007: Lehigh Valley Hospital & Health Network". Retrieved 2007-06-01.
  25. ^ News/Events: Mack Plans Restructuring to Increase Competitiveness, Secure Long-Term Leadership Position. - News Releases 2008. - Mack Trucks. - August 14, 2008. - Retrieved: 2008-11-07
  26. ^ Richardson, Tyrone (August 15, 2008), "BULLDOG BOLTS **Mack headquarters leaving; almost 600 jobs lost", The Morning Call, pp. A.1
  27. ^ a b Blumenau, Kurt (April 25, 2004), "The different sides of Whitehall Mall ** MacArthur Road's first retail center has changed over time. More is to come.", The Morning Call, pp. AA.1
  28. ^ Blumenau, Kurt (April 8, 2007), "Valley of the malls ** The region is in the midst of biggest burst of building since 1970s.", The Morning Call, pp. A.1
  29. ^ "2007 Top 100 Daily Newspapers in the U.S. by Circulation" (PDF). BurrellesLuce. 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2007-05-31. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ "TV Market Maps". Echostar Knowledge Base website. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  31. ^ "About WFMZ-TV". WFMZ-TV official website. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
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  33. ^ "Home Page". WLVT-TV official website. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  34. ^ Moss, Linda (August 1, 2005). "In the Keystone State, Service Electric Thrives"". Multichannel News. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
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  37. ^ "US Census Bureau Population Finder". Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  38. ^ a b "City of Allentown - City Controller". Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  39. ^ "City of Allentown - City Council Members". Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  40. ^ "City of Allentown - City Controller". Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  41. ^ "Allentown, Pennsylvania at CityRating.com".
  42. ^ "Image overhaul". The Morning Call. 2008-05-29. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  43. ^ a b Muschick, Paul (December 15, 2007), "Allentown nears slaying record ** Authorities say gangs, drug activity push up homicide numbers.", The Morning Call, pp. A.1
  44. ^ a b Fulton, Sarah (January 31, 2008), "Police: Street gangs on the move – and growing ** Neighborhood watch group in Allentown gets briefing on signs of a gang's presence.", The Morning Call, pp. B.4
  45. ^ McDonald, Joe (November 1, 2008), "Police smash lucrative meth operation ** Allentown man among 3 arrested, tied to Valley ring.", The Morning Call, pp. B.3
  46. ^ Darragh, Tim (August 1, 2008), "GANGBUSTING **With money running out amid mixed results, can federal program go on?", The Morning Call, pp. A.1
  47. ^ Pawlowski, Ed; Kelling, George (July 27, 2008), "New strategy, citizens can turn corner on crime.", The Morning Call, pp. A.17
  48. ^ "Public School Districts". National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (2005-06 School Year). Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  49. ^ Haymon, Elizabeth; Weiss, Andrew (January 16, 2007), "ASD building program is about growth, quality.", The Morning Call, pp. A.7
  50. ^ "County eyes N.J. rail extension to area," The Morning Call, November 7, 2008.
  51. ^ "Norfolk Southern Corporate Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  52. ^ "R.J. Corman Railroad Group Allentown Lines". Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  53. ^ Template:PDFlink
  54. ^ Template:PDFlink
  55. ^ "Rollercoaster Database: Steel Force (Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom)". Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  56. ^ a b Whelan, Frank (May 29, 2005), "West Park the iconic home for Allentown bands.", The Morning Call, pp. E.1
  57. ^ a b "Allentown, PA - Parks". Retrieved 2007-06-02.
  58. ^ "Stadium Info". Lehigh Valley IronPigs official website. March 8, 2007. pp. A1. Retrieved 2007-03-08.
  59. ^ Neuhaus, Cable. "He Sang of Their Troubles, but Grateful Citizens Say Thank You Anyway to Billy Joel". People Magazine (Vol. 19, No.1). Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  60. ^ "A Mini-History of the 19th Street Theatre". Civic Theatre of Allentown official website. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  61. ^ a b c d e f "Historical Allentown". City of Allentown official website. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  62. ^ "Allentown Fair". Official website. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
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  64. ^ "About Symphony Hall". Allentown Symphony Association official website. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
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  66. ^ "Cedar Crest At-a-Glance". Cedar Crest College official website. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
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  68. ^ "William F. Curtis Arboretum: Mission/History". Cedar Crest College official website. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
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  70. ^ "Admission: Frequently Asked Questions". Muhlenberg College official website. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  71. ^ "History". Liberty Bell Shrine official website. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  72. ^ "PPL History: 1920s". PPL Corporation official website. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  73. ^ "Hotel Sterling". Archiplanet website. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  74. ^ "[[National Register of Historic Places]]". Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  75. ^ Da Vinci Center Official Web Site
  76. ^ Lehigh County Historical Society and Lehigh Valley Heritage Center Museum Official Web Site.
  77. ^ Lehigh Valley Arts Council Official Web Site

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