Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a vibrant community in the state of Pennsylvania. It is a center for arts, culture, and higher education. The city is a fabulous place to live in and offers quality neighborhoods, friendly people and an overall great urban experience to anyone interested in moving to Allentown. There are over 107,000 residents in the area, making it the third largest city in Pennsylvania. With its strategic business location and excellent quality of life, moving to Allentown will be a dream come true.
Economy:
The manufacturing industry was once the concentration of Allentown’s economy. Today, however, that economic activity continues to decline as it is replaced by the service sector as the major source of employment in the area, the largest employer being Lehigh Valley Hospital which has over 7,800 workers. The metropolitan area has been selected as the headquarters or principal plant locations for major corporations such as Mack Trucks and Bethlehem Steel, as well as Fortune 500 companies Air Products and Chemicals, and PPL Corporation.
History:
Allentown was first settled in 1735 by a wealthy shipping merchant named William Allen. The 5,000 acre land purchased by Allen was laid out as Northampton-Towne in 1762. Allen had projected that his newly established town would become a commercial center given its ideal location along the Lehigh River and its proximity to Philadelphia. On March 6, 1812, Lehigh County was formed from the western half of Northampton County, and Northampton-Towne was selected as the county seat. The town was officially renamed "Allentown" in 1838 in honor of its founder, and was formally incorporated as a city on March 12, 1867.
The arrival of the Lehigh Canal in the 1830s expanded the city's commerce greatly. From being a small town with only local markets, the city evolved into becoming a major center for heavy industry and manufacturing. Railroads, such as the Lehigh Valley Railroad, were essential to the movement of raw materials and finished products. This period of rapid economic growth in the region was halted by two events, the Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression. Economic recovery in the early 20th century was brought about by the silk and textile industry, which also declined eventually. Allentown's economy today is primarily based in the service industry, an industry that is rapidly churning out more and more jobs making the city a primary destination for Allentown movers.
Tourism:
Allentown, with its award-winning park system, is an ideal place to recreate. Known as Pennsylvania’s Park Place, the city’s parks feature lakes, rose gardens, picnic groves, bike trails, walking paths and even a band shell for live outdoor performances. Every May, over Memorial Day weekend, the city’s signature event called Mayfair takes place. It is a five-day event that combines with food, arts and crafts, live musical acts and other outdoor activities. Sportsfest, a weekend filled with a variety of sporting competitions, is held in July. The Great Allentown Fair is an annual tradition with rides, games and musical performances by Top 40 artists that brings the summer to a close over Labor Day weekend. An annual tradition is Lights in the Parkway, a drive-through holiday lights spectacular on display in the Lehigh Parkway from late-November through early-January.
Colleges/Universities:
• Muhlenberg College
• Pennsylvania School of Business
• Cedar Crest College
Interesting Facts:
• Allentown was the film location for much of James Neilson's film “Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows,” released in 1969. Allentown's Dorney Park was a film location for John Waters' “Hairspray," released in 1988.
• The 1982 Billy Joel hit song "Allentown," which appeared originally on Joel's The Nylon Curtain album was the inspired by Allentown and its steel industry.
• Some notable natives of Allentown include Amanda Seyfried, model and actress (The CW's “Veronica Mars”, HBO's “Big Love” and “Mamma Mia!”); Lauren Weisberger, author of “The Devil Wears Prada”; Lee Iacocca, former chairman of Chrysler Corporation.
Helpful Links:
• Allentown Real Estate
• Allentown Dental Offices
• Allentown Insurance
• Allentown Box Companies
• Allentown Moving Guide