- 2001 Union Boulevard
- Map location: 40°37′33″N 075°25′32″W
- Manufactures and bottles the A-Treat brand of carbonated soft drinks. A-Treat beverages have limited distribution throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and as far away as Bermuda. The company announced its closure on January 23, 2015.[87] In July, 2015, the assets of the company were purchased and it was announced that production of A-Treat products would be marketed, however, production would be conducted by a third party and the former plant on Union Boulevard would not reopen.[88]
- 513-515 S. Lehigh Street
- Map location: 40°35′43″N 075°27′59″W
- Early 20th Century hotel built in 1910. Initially catered to farmers, cattle drivers, and auctioneers who came to Allentown to do business at the Allentown Horse Exchange and Bazaar. Behind the Acorn, the Horse Exchange flourished from the late 1800s to 1925. Later served industrial Allentown during the city's manufacturing era of the mid 20th Century. With the end of most of the industry in the Little Lehigh Creek basin, the Acorn's clientele dwindled and was basically derelict by the 1970s. Renovated in the 1980s into a music and dance facility, was unsuccessful and was closed about 1995. Building remains with old sign on front, however its current status is undetermined.[89]
- Adelaide Silk Mill (1881–1964)
- 333 W. Court Street
- Map location: 40°36′19″N 075°27′49″W
- Later known as Phoenix Clothing, the Adelaide Silk Mill became one of the largest producers of silk products in the United States. By 1900, there were twenty-three silk establishments in Allentown, making Pennsylvania second only to New Jersey in silk production. The silk industry in Pennsylvania and the United States peaked in the late 1920s. After that, the Great Depression, increasing labor unrest, and competition from rayon began to affect the industry locally and nationally. During World War II the supply of silk disappeared because nearly all of it had been imported from Japan. After the war, new synthetic fibers, especially nylon, replaced silk in many garments and the plant began to produce clothing for major retailers such as Sears, Montgomery Ward, JCPenney, and other brands. Phoenix Clothing remained in production until 1964 until declaring bankruptcy citing foreign competition and lower manufacturing costs overseas. Following the mill's closure, the building has housed a variety of other businesses, none of them fully occupying the building. Current plans for the empty mill is for it to be totally renovated into a apartments.[90][91]
- Aineyville Viaduct (1893–1953)
- Connected St. John Street across Trout Creek in Allentown
- Map location: 40°35′35″N 075°27′41″W
- "Aineyville" was an area of Southeast Allentown named after William Ainey. Ainey ran the Lehigh Crane Iron Company on the south bank of the Lehigh River. The iron company built a small village to house some of its employees. The village became known as Aineyville. It was separated from South Allentown by the Trout Creek. The viaduct was a bridge built for the Lehigh Valley Transit's Liberty Bell trolley to cross over Trout Creek on the Allentown - Philadelphia interurban route.
- The bridge had several incarnations, it was first erected by the Lehigh Valley Traction Company, the predecessor to the Lehigh Valley Transit Company in 1893. Between 1910 and 1913, the structure was replaced with a heavier bridge and was used by both the heavier interurban trollies and the lighter intra-city streetcars. The last interurban Liberty Bell trollies used it in September 1951, and the last streetcar in 1953. Most streetcar tracks were removed or asphalted over shortly after, however, the Aineyville Viaduct survived until April 1954 when it was dismantled.[92][93]
- 608-610 N. New Street
- Map location: 40°36′33″N 075°28′51″W
- Classic local neighborhood theater, 600 seats, catering to second-run films at reduced prices. Operated for over 70 years until closed when final owner died. Razed in 2000 to provide local parking for area.[6]
- Other similar neighborhood theaters were:
- Astor Theater (1931–49, 700 seats)
- 1719 Hanover Avenue
- Depression-era theater, Located in East Allentown, closed at beginning of television era. Now known as Astor Bingo Hall
- Map location: 40°37′14″N 075°25′46″W
- Hamilton Theater (1915–1945, 460 seats)
- 201 W. Hamilton Street
- Originally opened in 1915 as a silent film theater in the First Ward. Converted to sound about 1930, the Hamilton Theatre underwent a remodeling in 1939 by architect William H. Lee. It was closed in 1945. Today it is a parking lot.
- Map location: 40°36′20″N 075°27′36″W
- Madison Theater (1919–1931, 400 seats)
- 1333–1335 W. Chew Street
- Theater opened shortly after World War I, adjacent to West End Hotel and Bar on corner of Madison and Chew Streets. Was a silent film theater, closed with the advent of "talkies" in 1931. Building remains intact with original front facade. Has been divided into two separate businesses within building. Has rear fire exit doors intact in the alley behind Chew.
- Map location: 40°36′10″N 075°29′14″W
- Allentown Boiler Works (1883–1931)
- 300 block of W. Union Street
- Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°27′49″W
- Established in 1884 by Charles Collum. Large manufacturing facility at S. 3rd and Union Streets. Produced sheet-iron and steel products. Manufactured boilers and other products used across the United States, Canada, Cuba, Europe, and the Philippines. Provided equipment used in the construction of the White House and United States Military Academy. Also operated the first car dealership in Allentown, opening about 1900. Went out of business during the Great Depression; the plant was later torn down.[94][95]
- Allentown and Reading Traction Company (1902–1929)
- Map location: 40°35′38″N 075°29′51″W
- The Allentown and Reading Traction Company was an interurban trolley line that ran for 40 miles between Allentown and Reading. Built between 1898 and 1902, it began with a trolley line that was completed in 1902. The line ran 20 miles between Allentown and Kutztown, starting on 7th Street just south of Center Square, then proceeding along Walnut Street and parallel to U.S. Route 222 to Kutztown. The line had stops in Laureldale, Blandon, and Fleetwood before arriving in Kutztown. On the return trip, it stopped at Trexlertown and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom prior to arriving in Allentown. Later that same year, it leased a trolley line from Kutztown to Reading. However, due to a difference in the gauge of the line, passengers needed to change cars in Kutztown. The running time was 2 hours and 40 minutes between Allentown and Reading.[96]
- In 1929, the service was ended to Allentown, with a new terminus in East Texas. In 1930, the line only began running between Kutztown and Reading and in 1934 it was discontinued altogether.[96]
- N. 4th and W. Turner Streets
- Map location: 40°36′24″N 075°27′59″W
- Women's college, one of the first in the United States. Established in 1867 by Robert Wright Sr. First classes were held at Zions Reformed Church on Hamilton Street; moved to Wright's summer home named "Silver Nook" at 4th and Turner Streets in November 1869. Home was built during the 1850s. In 1893, the school received a new charter and was renamed the Allentown College for Women. School moved in 1915 and changed name to Cedar Crest College. House became the "College Hotel" and remained in operation until 1964. Torn down shortly after its closure and is now a parking lot.[97]
- Allentown Horse Exchange and Bazaar (1870–1925)
- S. Church and Maple Streets
- Map location: 40°35′44″N 075°27′57″W
- Established by J. George Snyder in 1870. Large livery stable, located in the Little Lehigh Creek basin usually having about 60 horses, as well as horses and carriages. Was the largest of several stables in Allentown, extending 120 feet along Maple Street and 90 feet along Church Street. As late as 1917 at the beginning of World War I, there were still well over 1,300 horses in Allentown, and only the main streets had been paved. it closed in 1925 and the site is now occupied by a parking lot.[6][98]
- Allentown Paint Company (1855–1995)
- 639 E. Allen Street
- Map location: 40°37′01″N 075°26′48″W
- The Allentown Paint Company was founded in 1855 by Jacob Breining as the Allentown Manufacturing Company. It produced paints under the name Breining's Ready-Mixed Paints. It also made products that were sold under a variety of names by other paint companies in other regions of the nation. In 1867, T.G. Helfrich became associated with the company and it became Breinig & Helfrich. It was originally located by Helfrich Springs on the Jordan Creek, it moved to this location in 1931 where it continued to manufacture oil-, and water-based paints under the name Allentown Paint. In 1989 the Helfrich family sold the company to the Stulb Paint Company and continued for paint manufacturing until Stulb Paint went out of business in 1995. The building remains today and has been sub-divided into spaces for several companies.[99][100]
- 306 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′16″N 075°27′44″W
- Passenger rail stations for Allentown, consisting of the Allentown Terminal Railroad Station served patrons of the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) and the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Roads (Reading) who jointly operated it. It was constructed in 1888 and 1889. The second station, the Lehigh Valley Railroad Station (LVRR), was built in 1890 and was located directly west of the CNJ station. It served the patrons of the LVRR. Passenger rail service ended in Allentown during the 1960s, the stations became derelict and the Lehigh Valley station was torn down in the 1972. The CNJ/Reading station was restored into a restaurant, since closed. The primary right of way of the LVRR is now the northeast segment of American Parkway.[6]
- In addition to the passenger stations, Allentown had a large LVRR freight yard 40°36′26″N 075°27′49″W and two very productive railroad branch lines; The West End, and the Barber Quarry. The Barber Quarry, for the most part, began as a spur breaking off the LVRR main line at about 3d and Union Streets, and ran along the Little Lehigh Creek. It continued west until it turned north along Union Terrace, crossing Hamilton and ending at 20th and Linden Streets. The West End, for the most part, began at Furnace and Ridge Avenue, running northwest to N. 4th and Sumner Avenue, running along Sumner Avenue, turning south and looping past 17th and Liberty Streets then to just north of Gordon Street, terminating at N. 12th Street. Sumner Avenue was later extended along the old right of way to Ridge Avenue. The Barber Quarry spur ended operation about 1977; the West End Spur about 1971.[101]
- The CNJ freight yard was established in 1897 and still exists and operates in the Dutch Hill section of East Allentown 40°36′21″N 075°26′03″W.[17] CNJ built a railroad bridge crossing the Lehigh River in 1897 crossing the river at Canal Lock No. 6 to the east bank 40°37′25″N 075°27′32″W, where a passenger line ran parallel to the LVRR line into the CNJ station. From the Allentown station, it then turned east and crossed the Lehigh River and canal with an 1897 bridge (rebuilt 1916) at Lock #8 40°35′58″N 075°27′02″W that connected back to the main CNJ yard and rail line.[17]
- 1600 Hanover Avenue
- Map location: 40°36′53″N 075°25′47″W
- Psychiatric hospital that served the counties of Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and occasionally eastern Schuylkill. Due to the sharp decline in the need for psychiatric hospitals was closed in 2010.[102]
- Allentown Trust Company (1905–1932)
- 527 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′11″N 075°28′07″W
- The Allentown Trust Company is a former bank that collapsed during the Great Repression. It opened in 1907, initially in the Commonwealth Building at 512 Hamilton Street. In 1910, it bought a lot on the northeast corner of Hamilton and Law Streets, and built a two-story, 30-by-104-foot building. Of Greek Revival architectural design, it opened in 1911. Its first floor was the public bank room with tellers and workers at desk, while the second floor would house offices and a director's room. In June 1931, the bank had 12,000 depositors and one million dollars in assets. The run on banks during the Great Depression of 1931–1932 forced the bank to close, and the bank was seized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on June 18th, 1932. Allentown Trust was the third Allentown bank to fail in the summer of 1932. The other defunct banks were Jordan State Bank and Ridge Avenue Deposit and Trust Co. The former bank depositors received some of their money eventually, taking until 1945. About half of its $1 million in liability was returned to depositors.[103]
- The closed bank building was bought by the county government of Lehigh County at auction for $59,000, and set aside $25,000 for renovations in its budget. A Lehigh County grand jury recommended buying the bank building and moving offices out of the crowded Lehigh County Courthouse. The county treasurer, tax lien and delinquent tax offices occupied the first floor. The county commissioners, controller, veterans affairs and Americanization offices were among those moved to the second floor.[103]
- The county vacated the building in 1999. It was torn down in 2005 along with some other empty buildings and the Colonial Theater. In 2013, the property was purchased by City Center Corporation and today it is part of the Three City Center office building.[103]
- American Steel and Wire Company (1885–1943)
- 300 block of Lehigh Street
- Map location: 40°35′46″N 075°27′58″W
- Established as the Iowa Barb Wire Company in 1885, produced barb wire primarily for shipment to the U.S. Midwest. Taken over by U.S. Steel in 1901. During World War I, the plant operated 24 hours a day manufacturing barb wire to ship to the Western Front in France. In 1915, it was a major producer for the Allies, operating 24 hours a day producing more than 100,000 tons of barb wire, staples and nails. to ship to the Western Front in France. The heyday of the plant ended during the Great Depression. When the nation entered World War II, a number of contracts were awarded to the company. But the Allentown mill's distance from the major steel suppliers in Pittsburgh made it unprofitable to operate. In 1943, U.S. Steel closed the wire mill for good. The plant was vacant until the late 1960s when most of the buildings were torn down; one large structure remains on Lehigh Street.[104]
- Apple Hill Ski Area (1962–1978)
- Kernville Road and Kern's Dam, Kernville
- Map location: 40°37′58″N 075°36′28″W
- Opened in 1962 as a local winter ski area, in Kernville, about 10 miles northwest of Allentown. Offered beginner and moderate slopes, rope tow and two T-bar ski lifts, night skiing, snowmaking and a lodge. Also offered a ski school. Closed in 1978, now abandoned and overgrown; ski lodge and other facilities appears to be still standing but very run-down and vandalized[105][106]
- N. Front and W. Hamilton Streets
- Map location: 40°36′29″N 075°27′22″W
- Opened in 1887 as a smokehouse by Wilson Arbogast and Morris Clinton Bastian. Produced ready-cured meat for sale. Expanded into a meat packing plant for cattle and hogs, producing a wide variety of meat products for sale at local grocery stores, later supermarkets. Once a national leader in hog slaughtering, the company had the capacity to process most of the 850,000 hogs raised annually in Pennsylvania for slaughtering. In its heyday, Arbogast & Bastian slaughtered an average of 4,000 hogs daily. Filed for bankruptcy in 1984, plant closed in January 1985. The main plant was torn down in the 1990s, today the old main office is the administrative offices for the America On Wheels museum.[107][108]
- 28 N. Ninth Street
- Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°28′34″W
- Grand 1920s cinema, originally opened as the "New Pergola" Theater in 1926. It was the fourth-largest theater (1,008 seats) in Allentown, behind the State, Rialto and Colonial Theaters. The theater had a stage for vaudeville and stage shows, two balconies and main floor seating. It was renamed the "Embassy" Theater in 1929, and was sold to the A.R. Boyd chain in 1933. The theater was renamed the "Boyd" in 1940. The Boyd showed first-run films for decades and was successful despite the television-era that closed several other theaters in Allentown. It was sold in 1971 and closed when property was sold to PP&L Company for expansion of their headquarters building. Torn down and subsequently rebuilt as office building.[109][110]
- Northwest Corner of 17th and West Chew Streets
- Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°29′51″W
- World War I use of Allentown Fairgrounds, used by the United States Army Ambulance Service (USAAS) as a training camp. Its mission was to train ambulance drivers to evacuate casualties on the Western Front in France and also in Italy. Returned to fairgrounds use in 1919.[6]
- Capri Theater (1927–1981)
- 535 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′11″N 075°28′09″W
- Opened in 1927 as the Peoples Theater and originally seated 638. Over the years it was the Cameo Theater (1928), which closed in 1931. Reopened as the Transit Theater in 1932, closed in 1938, then the Cameo from 1939-1941, and again the Transit from 1942–1957. Reopened in 1963 as the Capri Theater and showed first run films until the late 1970s, then became an Adult theater. Closed in 1981. In 1985, the building was completely renovated and converted into an office building having three floors and 14,000 square feet of space. Today the Capri Marquee remains.
- Center Square Comfort Stations (1919–1972)
- Southeast corner, N. 7th and W. Hamilton Streets
- Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°28′17″W
- Legacy of the early 20th Century when most stores in the Central Business District did not offer public rest rooms. Underground facilities with public attended rest rooms, the Comfort Stations also provided showers for men and bath facilities for women, along with a small store and a shoeshine stand up through World War II. Music was initially provided by a record player, later a radio. By the 1960s, the facilities were simplified to public rest rooms and closed in 1963 by the Board of Health. Re-opened in 1965 by request of the Downtown Merchants, finally closed for good in 1972 as part of the Hamilton Mall renovation of Center Square. Presumably still existing below street level today under extended sidewalk on the SE corner of the Square.[111]
- N. Wahneta Street
- Map location: 40°37′19″N 075°25′14″W
- Amusement park in the Rittersville section of East Allentown. Opened in 1892. Offered 40 acres of shady walks and ample park benches. It was built in a wooded area with picnic groves, walking paths, a few amusements, theaters and food stands. The first rides were a carousel, a toboggan chute, and the "Razzle-Dazzle". Closed in 1951 after a series of fires, land redeveloped in the early 1960s, last parts of the park torn down in 1964.[112]
- A. Jack Coffield Stadium (1929–1947)
- N. 18th and W. Turner Streets
- Map location: 40°35′54″N 075°29′42″W
- Former high school football facility, opened on 28 September 1929 adjacent to city's Allentown High School. Named for A. Jack Coffield, high school football player who died during a football practice on 26 September 1928. Football began at Allentown High School, now William Allen High School, in 1896, the team playing on any open field that was available.[113] The 15,000-seat capacity Coffield Stadium was the first permanent home for the football team. Over a six-year period from 1941 to 1946, the AHS teams went 60-3-3, outscoring the opposition 1,801 points to only 239. Forty of the sixty wins were by shutouts. Replaced by larger Allentown School District Stadium in 1948. Eventually, the seats at Coffield Stadium were removed in 1955 and became the visitor's stand on south side of the ASD stadium along Linden Street. The facility became an athletic field for the high school for many years, with various buildings for industrial shop classes and the Linden Street Wing of the high school being erected on parts of the old football field. In 1970 the athletic field was redeveloped and the new William Allen High School basketball/natatorium was erected on the site. The Coffield Stadium seats that
were moved to the new stadium were torn down in 2002 as part of the renovation of J. Birney Crumb Stadium.[114][115]
- Colonial Barbershop (1932–1998)[116]
- 538 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′09″N 075°28′09″W
- Classic traditional American Barber Shop. Had art Deco light fixtures, white tin ceiling, shoeshine stand, manicure trays and five chairs. Barber of choice for Allentown politicians and businessmen for decades. Closed upon retirement of longtime owner, Frank Gallucci and building sat vacant for many years. Sold in 2012 to City Center Development Company, today building pending redevelopment.[117][118]
- 513–17 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′12″N 075°28′07″W
- Golden era stage and cinema in Allentown Central Business district. Over 1,814 seats with two balconies, the largest theater in Allentown. Initially, a silent theater, was also host for traveling jazz spectaculars, specializing in touring groups from Harlem's Cotton Club. In 1929, the theater installed sound equipment for talking pictures. In February 1935, it was the site of a live national radio network broadcast of "Amos and Andy". An extensive renovation in 1963 made it the premiere first-run movie theater in downtown Allentown during the 1960s–1970s. Closed in 1988 and became derelict. Torn down in 2005.[6]
- Classic, post World War II outdoor Drive-in theaters in Allentown. Open from about April through the end of October of each year, being closed during the winter months. The theaters opened about an hour before sunset each night, and normally showed two films on an average evening, the first being a first-run film, the second being either a "B" movie or a second-run film.
- Airport Drive-In Theater (1955–1962)
- Airport Road and U.S. Route 22
- Map location: 40°38′29″N 075°25′53″W
- The Airport Drive-In opened about 1955 on the southeast side of the U.S. Route 22 and Airport Road interchange. At the time of its construction, the area was relatively undeveloped. It held about 800 cars, showing primarily second-run films at reduced rates. Had a full concession stand and children's play area. During its lifetime, the drive-in suffered from noise from airplanes either taking off or landing at the nearby ABE Airport which was a distraction to the moviegoers. It closed in 1962 and the land was sold to developers as Allentown grew. Torn down in 1963/64 the land was first used as a shopping center as well as Catasauqua road which went to Bethlehem. In the 1980s, the Airport Road interchange with Route 22 was expanded into a cloverleaf and the land of the former drive-in is now part of that cloverleaf intersection of Airport Road and US 22; also the Scottish Inn and Suites/Valley Plaza Shopping Center. Catasauqua Road goes right though it.[119]
- Boulevard Drive-In Theater (1949–1985)
- 556 Union Boulevard
- Map location: 40°37′13″N 075°27′00″W
- Opened on 19 October 1949, the Boulevard Drive-In was located on Union Boulevard in Allentown. It had a great location, with a steep hillside parking lot so the views were really unobstructed. Its capacity was about 600 cars. It had a full concession stand and a children's play area. The theater operated until the fall of 1985 when it was closed. The property was abandoned until 1990 when the main structures including the box office and concession stand were torn down, and the speaker posts removed. Today the facility remains abandoned. The outdoor movie screen is still standing and remnants of the tiered patron parking. Private Property.[6]
- Super Skyway Drive-In (1954–1980)
- Crackersport and Blue Barn Roads, Kuhnsville
- Map location: 40°35′39″N 075°35′15″W
- Opened in 1954 with a capacity of 1,000 cars. Was equipped with both stereophonic sound as well as capability to project widescreen films on 2.35:1 wide projection screen for CinemaScope. Served far West End of Allentown along U.S. Route 22, where its screen was visible to passing vehicles. Showed primarily second-run films at reduced admission. Had a full concession stand as well as children's play area. It closed in 1980, and sat vacant for decades. A fire burned down the concession stand and projection booth in 2003. It finally sold in 2004 and in 2005 the property was torn down. Today it is an empty field.[120][121]
- West End Drive-in Theater (1954–1976)
- U.S. Route 22 at N. 15th St. exit
- Map location: 40°37′13″N 075°30′07″W
- Construction began on the drive-in in early 1954. Delayed by some construction issues and strikes, the theater opened in early November with a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Brighton C. Diefenderfer. Managed by the Loews Theatres, the Drive-In had a capacity of about 1,200 cars. Along with a full concession stand and a children's play area. The screen at the Drive-In was 122 × 72 feet in size, which Loews believed was the largest in the United States at that time. The theater operated until the fall of 1976 when it was closed. The property was sold to Bruce L. Rothrock who converted the theater to a Datsun (now Nissan) dealership, which opened in November 1977.[122]
- Dorney Furniture Company (1885–1973)
- 612 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′08″N 075°28′12″W
- The manufacturing of furniture was started by Henry Berkemeyer in 1870 at the southwest corner of Race and Hamilton Streets on the site of the Allentown Terminal Station. In 1874 Mr. C.A. Dorney joined Berkemeyer and the name was changed to Dorney, Berkemyer & Company. In 1883, E H Stein purchased the Berkemeyer interest and the business was conducted by these partners until October 1885 when Charles Ziegenfuss purchased an interest in the company. In 1886 the factory was destroyed by fire and immediately rebuilt at a new location across the street at 333-335 Hamilton Street. In 1893, the firm was incorporated under the name C A Dorney Furniture Company, and Stein sold all of his stock to Dorney and Charles Ziegenfuss Sr. Charles Dorney retired in 1898 sold all of his stock to Ziegenfuss however, the name of the firm was unchanged with Ziegenfuss Sr. becoming president of the firm. In 1908 Ziegenfuss & Sons purchased the Troxell home at 612 Hamilton and built a six-story structure which they moved into during 1910.
- Dorney Furniture went out of business in 1973, and the building was bought by Schoen Furniture which moved its store there from 18–24 S. Sixth St. It served as a furniture store until 1990. When Schoen's closed, the building was taken over by the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority and was vacant for over 20 years. At one time, after Schoen's closed, it was an Allentown Rescue Mission thrift store. The authority received an offer of $250,000 from the Delaware-based Charles Street Capital in August 2013 for the redevelopment of the building.[123] The property was renovated and in August 2014, was taken over by Trifecta Technologies, a technology company. The building at 333 Hamilton Street is still standing, and is known as "Catch 22 Nightclub", a rental hall used for private celebrations of various types. It houses three dance floors pool tables big-screen TVs and arcade games. The kitchen serves up burgers fries and hot dogs.
- Dubbs Memorial United Church of Christ (1902–2015)
- 457 W. Allen Street
- Map location: 40°36′42″N 075°28′18″W
- Formed in 1902 as a United Church of Christ congregation of 60 worshippers, most of whom broke away from the Salem UCC. In 1904 the Dubbs Sunday School was formed. First church building dedicated on 18 June 1912. A fire in 1959 serverely damaged the structure, forcing it to close for a year to rebuild and renovate. Declining attendance forced the church to close in July 2015.[124]
- Duck Farm and Hotel (1883–1925)
- 2033 Reading Road
- Map location: 40°35′37″N 075°29′58″W
- Owned by the Griesemer family in what was known as Griesemerville. A stop on the Reading Traction Company's interurban line from West Allentown via Dorneyville, Kutztown to Reading. Was a popular day resort just west of the Walnut Street/Reading Road Bridge over Cedar Creek (1824). Among those that came here for a duck dinner was Champ Clark, U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1911 to 1919. Closed about 1925, later became Union Terrace, now Joseph S. Daddona Lake and Terrace. Hotel remains standing, now operates as an apartment house.[125]
- Earle Theater (1927–1961)
- 20 N. 8th Street
- Map location: 40°36′08″N 075°28′27″W
- First cinema in Allentown to be equipped for synchronized sound films. It opened on 16 December 1927, showing "The Prince of Headwaiters", starring Lewis Stone, a mostly silent film which had scenes in sound. The four-story cinema (its upper floors were professional offices, the 3d and 4th floor having a two-story windowed atrium in the front) operated until February 1961, when it was closed. The last film shown was The Great Impostor, with Tony Curtis. Eventually the property was sold and the theater torn down. Today it is an Allentown Parking Authority parking lot.[126]
- Fenstermacher & Rems Company (1922–1963)
- 1415 W. Chew Street
- Map location: 40°36′09″N 075°29′18″W
- Early car and truck dealer in Allentown, originally selling Studebakers, then expanded to sell Hudsons, Terraplanes, then in 1954 began to sell Packards. Later renamed Fenstermacher & Sons. Closed in 1963 along with the demise of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation.
- 1501 Lehigh Street
- Map location: 40°34′47″N 075°28′46″W
- 1401 W. Allen Street
- Map location: 40°36′25″N 075°29′26″W
- Notable as first modern post-World War II self-service supermarket in Allentown. Lehigh Street location opened in 1953 and the Allen Street location in 1957. Originally called a "Food Department Store", prior to Food Fair, people in Allentown shopped for groceries in local corner grocery stores, bakeries, butcher shops, and farmers' markets. Had notable architecture five-story brick tower with neon Food Fair sign on top of tower attached to buildings. By 1970, both Food Fair stores had added strip shopping centers and had converted to Pantry Pride stores. The Lehigh Street Store is now St. Lukes Family Health Center; Allen Street store is now independent supermarket. Both buildings have five story landmark towers remaining.[127][128]
- Fountain Brewery Hotel (1869–1948)
- 16 S. 8th Street
- Map location: 40°36′04″N 075°28′24″W
- Site of mid-1800s brewery and hotel in Center City Allentown. Established as the Däufer Brewery in 1869 by Henry Köenig and his brother-in-law George and Francis Däufer. Was also a saloon and barber shop, becoming one of the most popular destinations in Allentown. Although the beer was produced at the site, Köenig's beer vault was at Jefferson and Lawrence Streets at the "Beer Vaults and Sommer Garden", now near the Allentown Water Works. After Köenig's death in 1874, the brewery was moved to the Lawrence Street site and the building was turned into the "Fountain Brewery Hotel", although small amounts of beer were brewed at the site (although not during Prohibition) until 1948. Building razed in 1990 and turned into city parking lot.[129]
- Franklin Theater (1913–2008, 700 seats)
- 429 W. Tilghman Street
- Map location: 40°36′48″N 075°28′16″W
- Opened as the Franklin Theater in 1913, this neighborhood theater was renamed the Jennette Theater in 1956. The Jeanette Theater it played foreign art films and in 1961 switched over to Adult Porn films, becoming Allentown's main porno house. After the demise of the porn films the Jeannette Theater was closed in 1990. Was renovated in 1992 and reopened as with its original name, the Franklin. The new Franklin showed films for $1 a ticket, and was operating weekends only, but in summer-2008, was closed temporarily. It never reopened. By 2014 it was operating as a church.[130]
- Freeman's Dairy (1927–1986)
- 737 N. 13th Street
- Map location: 40°36′34″N 075°29′18″W
- One of several dairies in Allentown, Allentown Dairy was organized in 1915 at West Howard and Turner Streets, and provided milk and dairy products to local grocers and also home delivery. Initially used horse-drawn wagons with rubber tires to deliver products because they were ideal for stop-and-go deliveries. Converted to motorized delivery trucks in the 1930s. At its height in 1953, Freeman's received milk from 300 farms, produced 40,000 quarts a day and employed 110. Freeman's was the last dairy to provide home delivery of milk in Allentown, which ended about 1965. Sold in 1986 to Johanna Farms Inc. of Flemington, New Jersey, and the plant was closed. The former dairy is owned by Richards & Danielson that manufactures flavoring and baking supplies.[131]
|
- Northeast Corner of 9th and W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°28′31″W
- Largest and most famous Department Store in Allentown, nationally known. Founded by Max and Charles Hess, the store consisted of five floors and over 400,000 square feet of retail space. Became landmark department store with magnificent crystal chandeliers gracing the main hall. It was well known for its fashion apparel as a result of introducing the latest trends from Europe. Extravagant window displays along exterior of main floor. Children delighted at the giant toy soldiers Hess’s used as Christmas decorations in addition to "Pip the Mouse" in a puppet show. Shoppers were treated to the annual May flower show, fashion shows, and celebrity appearances. Hess's Patio restaurant was well known for its strawberry pie and other delicacies. Closed 1994. Building torn down 2000, land redeveloped as The Plaza at PPL Center. Celebrities such as Sonny and Cher Bono appeared at the private night club of Max Hess in the basement of his main house in the Hess compound in west Allentown, which also featured an alligator in a pool in the backyard of the mansion. Max Hess was well known to have lived a rather "Playboy" lifestyle according to those who knew him.[6]
- Horlacher Brewery (1866–1978)
- 311 W. Gordon Street
- Map location: 40°36′38″N 075°27′50″W
- Pennsylvania-German Brewery popular for its Nine Months Old "Perfection Beer" ale, specially aged to withstand long-distance deliveries, and its Nine Months Old lager. It also made and bottled porter, sarsaparilla and mineral waters. The brewery was started in 1866 by James Wise at 4th and Hamilton Streets, and Fred Horlacher took over the business in 1882. Horlacher's son, Frederick, moved the business to Gordon Street in 1905. Closed in 1978 with decline of local breweries. Today it is a light industrial complex.[132]
- Homeopathic Healing Art Plaque (1835–1845)
- 31 S. Penn Street
- Map location: 40°36′11″N 075°27′59″W
- 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 was Hahnemann University Hospital.
- 1 N. 7th Street
- Map location: 40°36′09″N 075°28′17″W
- Large landmark hotel on Center Square opened in the gilded era. Included a large lobby with a luxurious sitting room. All rooms also had electric lighting, and some rooms even had private baths. Hosted businessmen, wealthy travelers, political figures and other important guests to the city, including three former Presidents of the United States. Closed 1954. Raised in 1956, site became First National Bank building (1958–1995), now being redeveloped as Two City Center office complex.[6]
- Kramer's Music House (1891–1960)
- 544 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′09″N 075°28′09″W
- Piano and music store opened by Fredrick F. Kramer Sr. A skilled pianist, among the famous pianists of the day with whom he was friendly was Jan Paderewski, the Polish piano great and first prime minister of Poland after World War I, who Kramer persuaded to play at the Lyric Theater, now Miller Symphony Hall. His office wall was covered with autographed photos of the piano giants of his time he had brought to Allentown. After Kramer’s death in 1937, at age 74, his son Frederick Jr. ran the business for many years. As sheet music and pianos gave way to records, Kramer thrived but changing trends in music led to its final closing in 1960. Building later became the Empire Beauty School which closed in the 1980s. Today, the building is being refurbished as the assembly88 Men's Clothing Store.[133]
- 1 W. Allen Street
- Map location: 40°36′59″N 075°27′26″W
- The company was formed in 1919 during the height of Allentown's industrial era. Its facilities occupied 55 acres along the Lehigh River, consisting of heavy fabrication buildings, tower fabrication and tower galvanizing. Lehigh Steel was the only major steel manufacturer located in Allentown. Steel plant closed 1992, site now part of Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). Plans announced in 2013 to redevelop the site into a mixed office and residential complex known as The Waterfront.[6]
- Lafayette Hotel (1809–1926)
- 133–137 N. 7th Street
- Map location: 40°36′15″N 075°28′20″W
- Former hotel, site of one of the deadliest fires in Allentown history. The oldest hotel in the city at the time of its destruction. Fire caused the deaths of 13 hotel residents and 39 other people were injured. The tragic fire led to Allentown revising its fire code. After the fire the building was imploded, and site was rebuilt and used by Sears Roebuck and Company. Sears left in 1948, the site was used by several businesses until the structures were torn down in the 1980s. It is now a parking lot.[134]
- 626 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°28′14″W
- First Department store in Allentown, opened in 1850 as shoe and boot retailer. Henry Leh manufactured large numbers of boots for Union Army troops during the Civil War, expanded into dry goods and opened a large department store in 1912. Christmas season found the store packed. The arrival of Santa Claus was a major event. Although not quite as flamboyant as Max Hess's showplace at 9th and Hamilton, Leh's still held its own. In the late 1950s an appearance by pop singing idol Frankie Avalon packed the store with teenagers. Closed in 1996 as part of decline of retail shopping in Allentown Central Business District. Redeveloped into Lehigh County Government Center for government office use.[3][6]
- N. Front Street, between Hamilton and Chew Streets
- Map location: 40°36′31″N 075°27′20″W
- Prior to the 1830s, Allentown was a small town with only local markets. The arrival of the Lehigh Canal greatly expanded the city’s commerce and industrial capacity. The Canal was built on the east side of the Lehigh River, across from Allentown, although both sides of the river were navigable because of slack water created by Dam 7, later called the Hamilton Street Dam. Boatmen poled their boats across the river above the dam to Lehigh Port, an area along the Lehigh shoreline developed with warehouses and wharves.
- Along with the port, the area had a number of industries located near the river. Among these were the J. L. Hoffman sawmill and lumber yard; a gristmill, and the Allbright and Son Tube Works.
- With the arrival of the railroads, the importance of the Lehigh River declined. Following the end of the American Civil War, it was taken over by the large Arbogast & Bastian (A&B) meat processing plant. Today, the area is now called the "Lehigh Landing" in the Delaware-Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
- Lehigh & New England Railroad Office (1895–1961)
- 443 Hanover Avenue
- Map location: 40°36′47″N 075°26′54″W
- Lehigh & New England was formed in 1895, primarily as an anthracite coal and cement carrier. The railroad ran from Allentown to Maybrook, New York. In 1904 it was acquired by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. In 1960. the railroad petitioned for abandonment, citing declining traffic. The Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) organized the Lehigh & New England Railway to buy and operate the portions of the line between Hauto and Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and from Bethlehem and Allentown through Bath to Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometres). The line into Allentown ceased operation in 1961. Today the building is used as a community center for Overlook Park[135][136]
- Lieberman Brewery (1845–1915)
- N. 6th and W. Union Streets
- Map location: 40°36′00″N 075°28′08″W
- The first commercial Pennsylvania-German Brewery in Allentown. Started with English-style ales; by the Civil War was started producing lager beers. Closed in 1910 due to competition with other local breweries. In 1915 it merged with Daeufer Brewery, which was owned by Martin E. Kern. Reopened in 1933 as the Daeufer-Lieberman Brewery, it could not beat the trend toward national beer brands and closed in 1935.[137] Today the site is a light industrial complex.[132][138]
- Little Palestra (1930–1973)
- N. 17th and W. Linden Streets
- Map location: 40°35′52″N 075°29′38″W
- Former home basketball arena for the Allentown High School, which was later renamed William Allen High School. In its 43 seasons (1930–31 to 1972–73) as home of the Canaries until it was replaced by the current Milo Sewards Gym in the Physical Education Center, the double-decked, 2,200-seat gym hosted 17 East Penn League champions, nine District 11 titlists and all five of the school's state championship squads. Although considered state of the art when it opened, the gym certainly had its quirks that gave the Canaries one of the most unique home-court advantages in the sport. This led to more offence, including the February 19, 1971 evening when the head coach's son, Pat Sewards, scored a record 62 points in a little less than three quarters against Tamaqua HS, the highest one-game scoring for a player at the arena as well as the high school. Razed in 1973, replaced by a library and science building for the high school in 1975.[139]
- Livingston Club (1890–1999)
- 22 S. 7th Street
- Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°28′17″W
- Social club, catered primarily to businessmen. Gathering place for powerful businessmen and politicians for relaxation, and to discuss the fate of companies and governmental affairs in Allentown. The Livingston Club was the de facto office of Harry Trexler, the founder of the Lehigh Portland Cement Co., the Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. and the Lehigh Valley Transit Company. Also acted as a hotel, Warren Harding, President of the United States spent a night at the Livingson Club, along with Charles M. Schwab, at the time, the head of Bethlehem Steel. Began a slow decline in importance in the 1960s, as the changing nature of downtown business, the notion that husbands and wives had separate social lives and the concept of local power brokers have all fallen by the wayside. And the departure of the Lehigh Portland Cement Company out of its downtown headquarters building in the early 1990s dealt the club a mortal blow. Attempts to revive it, either as a club or restaurant, foundered. Closed in the late 1990s, building torn down in 1999. It is now a parking lot.[140]
- 2050 Mack Boulevard
- Map location: 40°34′25″N 075°28′19″W
- Manufacturer of heavy industrial trucks, trolleys and buses. Company headquarters moved to Allentown from Brooklyn, New York, in 1905. Mack trucks have been sold in 45 countries. Company headquarters moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2009; however, the manufacturing plant remains in Macungie, a suburb in southwest Allentown. Allentown World Headquarters building, erected in 1970, was sold to New Jersey-based J.G. Petrucci Co., which leases out office space in the building.
- Mack Allentown Assembly Plants
- Plant #1 40°35′46″N 075°28′05″W
- Plant #2 40°35′44″N 075°28′26″W
- Plant#3 40°35′40″N 075°28′25″W
- Plant #3A 40°35′40″N 075°28′18″W
- Plant #4 40°35′37″N 075°28′35″W
- Plant #4A 40°35′36″N 075°28′42″W
- Plant #5 40°34′56″N 075°28′34″W
- Plant #5A 40°34′52″N 075°28′32″W
- Plant #5B 40°34′54″N 075°28′14″W
- Plant#5C 40°34′45″N 075°28′17″W
- The last Mack production plant in Allentown (5C) closed on 23 October 1987. Production, however continues at the Macungie plant which opened in 1976.[141]
- Mealey Auditorium (1910–1961)
- 423–427 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′14″N 075°28′00″W
- Large Auditorium, originally built for dances and indoor band concerts. In the 1920s, large touring Big Bands began to perform to Mealey's. Converted to a roller skating rink in the 1940s, then sold to Cata Garment Company in 1954. Used as warehouse space until 1961 when it was acquired by the City of Allentown and redeveloped. Now location of Allentown City Hall.[142]
- Midway Theater (1936–1955)
- 606 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′08″N 075°28′12″W
- Building dates to the late 1800s, was known as Ebbeke Hardware Store on ground floor, sold general hardware along with sporting goods equipment. Had professional offices in the upper floors. In the 1920s, was known as Crystal Restaurant. Converted to cinema in 1935 (900 seats). Originally known as the "New Midway", later shortened to "Midway" in 1943. Was one of the first theaters in Allentown to be air conditioned. Closed after a general alarm fire on 22 May 1955. The fire started in the third floor, taking two hours to bring under control. The theater closed, later being rebuilt and opened as Lipkins Furniture. Lipkins closed in 1965, today is Salomon Jewelers.
- Moll Gunsmith Factory (1764–1884)
- 117–119 N. 7th Street
- Map location: 40°36′16″N 075°28′21″W
- Colonial gunsmith factory established by American Patriot Johannes (John) Moll about 1764. Moll moved to Northampton Town from Goshenhoppen, 40 miles north of Philadelphia. Moll manufactured Pennsylvania Flintlock Rifles (later known as Kentucky Rifles) for settlers in the local area. During the American Revolutionary War, he enlisted as a Private, Eighth Class, of the Third Company of the First Battalion of Northampton County Militia on June 18, 1777. He was never called to active duty, as he was assigned to manufacture and repair rifles, pistols and bayonets and to manufacture saddles for the Continental Army. After the Revolutionary War, Moll's son and later descendants remained in the gun manufacturing bushiness, producing flintlocks used in the War of 1812. The family remained in Allentown and operated the Gunsmith factory, switching to percussion cap rifles and pistols in the 1820s until John Moll III died in 1883 when it was sold for $7,500, and was possibly torn down. In 1924, the Lafayette Hotel Fire destroyed several properties on N. 7th Street, which were all torn down afterward and turned into a parking lot.[143]
- Orpheum Theater (1906–1924)
- State Theater (1924–1953)
- 35 N. 10th Street
- Map location: 40°36′14″N 075°28′12″W
- The Orpheum was the first major vaudeville theater in Allentown with a seating capacity of 1,421. Live variety shows, it mixed jugglers, song-and-dance teams and acrobats, comedians and other live performers. Allentown was a tryout venue for vaudeville acts and those who did well went to major cities, including Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. Eddie Cantor, Fred and Adele Astaire, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Buster Keaton and Will Rogers all played at the Orpheum.
- By 1920, vaudeville had been taken over by silent films and in 1924 the Orpheum was converted to The State movie theater. It was the third-largest theater in Allentown. Converted to sound films in the early 1930s, closed in December 1953 due to declining attendance caused by Television. Purchased for $50,000 by Park and Shop Inc. and torn down in April 1954 to make way for a parking lot.[144]
- Palace (later Good's) Pharmacy (1900–1947)
- 602–604 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′09″N 075°28′11″W
- Classic early 20th Century Pharmacy/Soda Fountain. Served various sodas and ice creams as well as dispensing perspiration medicines, selling sundry products and magazines. Had several tables for patrons. The Palace Pharmacy was located at the southwest corner of 6th and Hamilton Streets.
- The structure was built by John E. Lentz between 1865 and 1867 in the then-popular Italianate style. The pharmacy opened on December 24, 1900, owned by Robert Good. The name apparently changed to Good's in the early 1930s. Good used the ground floor for his pharmacy, and the upper floors were rented as offices.
- Robert D. Good called it quits at the pharmacy and it was closed on January 5, 1948, due to rising rents. At that time, it was the oldest drugstore in the city that had not been remodeled. The space has been occupied by several restaurants over the decades since and today is Pastaficio, a popular Italian lunch restaurant.[145]
- Pat's (later Sal's) Spaghetti House (1954–1988)
- 20 N. Sixth Street
- Map location: 40°36′12″N 075°28′12″W
- Former Italian restaurant, landmark in the city. Served pasta, beef stew, ice cream and pie. The building was erected in 1898 as a florist shop for brothers John and Charles Horn. Closed and re-opened in 1954 as Pat's Spaghetti House by owner Pat DeMilio; became Sal's Spaghetti House in 1977 when Salvatore Poidomani took over the restaurant. The property was sold to the Mendelson Family Trust in 1988 after Poidomani retired. Property was vacant until the early 2000s when the City of Allentown seized the property. Building was in poor repair and city inspectors found dangerously unstable flooring, rotted beams and overall decay and said a heavy snowfall might have collapsed the roof. The building was raised in 2008, re-built as the Cosmopolitan Restaurant and nightclub. The new structure has carved molding and other features into the structure. The former elaborate neon sign was salvaged and is being stored in a warehouse owned by a nonprofit entity for restoration. The Cosmopolitan occasionally offers menu selections from the former restaurant using original recipes.[146]
- Pergola Theater (1907–1926)
- 902 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°28′34″W
- Opened originally as a penny arcade, bowling alley and billiard parlor, the Pergola was converted into a silent film theater about 1910. Showed early Tom Mix westerns, films by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and D. W. Griffith among others. Notable for being possibly the first theater in the United States to show a Kinemacolor film in 1910, mostly travelogues. Admission was a nickel, a reserved seat cost 10 cents, and the average length of a film was an hour. Also offered vaudeville shows. Closed in 1926 and torn down for construction of PP&L Building. A "new" Pergola was built behind the PP&L Building, opening in 1926 at 9th and Court Streets. It was renamed the "Embassy" in 1929 and later the "Boyd" in 1940. It was demolished in 1971 for construction of additional PP&L office space.[110][144]
- Rialto Theater (1921–1980)
- 943 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′02″N 075°28′39″W
- Allentown's first cinema, opened on April 1, 1921, second-largest theater (1,679 seats) in Allentown. Construction of the theater was begun in 1918 by developers Max Chanock and Max Sanderowitz. Its construction took place in two stages. The first part, a series of stores, shops and apartments, along with the theater's lobby, was completed rapidly. However World War I caused a shortage of building materials. So the theater, a separate structure, was not completed until 1921. The theater had a capacity of 2,500, with stage for vaudeville and stage shows, two balconies and main floor seating. A symphony orchestra and grand organ were among the refinements for the moviegoers of the silent picture era and in 1929, the theater was converted from silent to sound films.[147]
- The lobby section of the theater was the site of a general alarm fire on April 1, 1946 causing the death of Assistant Fire Chief Marcus "Mark" Good. The Rialto theater itself, suffering only slight smoke and water damage re-opened with a new lobby on Jan. 28, 1947. The theater remained a first-run cinema until 1971 when it was sold and the new owners turned it into an adult film venue. Closed in 1980, the cinema auditorium was demolished and replaced by a parking deck. Lobby section turned into offices for PP&L, still in use.[147][148]
- Peter Rhodes House (1762)
- 107 N. 7th Street
- Map location: 40°36′14″N 075°28′20″W
- 2d oldest building in Allentown, built by American Patriot Peter Rhodes in 1762. Tailor and storekeeper, later served on the Committee for Public Safety in Northampton Towne during the Revolutionary War. Later Rhodes was a judge of the local courts. He was the President Judge of the newly formed Lehigh County, also the first Burgess of Northampton Towne in 1811. Died in 1814. Home was rebuilt in 1890, a 3d story added and turned into a rooming house. Was later reduced in size about 1924 after the Lafayette Hotel Fire and Sears Roebuck established a store in Allentown afterward in the 100 block of N. 7th Street. Today the south part of the home (about half) still stands as part of a townhouse/local business.[6]
- Sears, Roebuck & Company Building (1948–1966)
- 600-606 N. 7th Street
- Map location: 40°36′38″N 075°28′34″W
- Opened in 1948. Was the first major department store not located in the Hamilton Street central shopping district. Sears had opened an Allentown store in the 1930s at the site of the old Lafayette Hotel which had burned down in 1926. After World War II, the wartime restrictions were ended and the company built a new store, closer to the new suburbs that were growing along 7th Street and MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township. Sears later moved to the new Whitehall Mall in 1966 as the expansion of shopping along MacArthur Road was developing. For many years after, was used by the Levine's Fabric store, a textile business. Today the building is being used by the Supremo Market, a Latin Supermarket.[149]
- 14–16 N. 8th Street
- Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°28′26″W
- Opened as large (1,000-seat) silent movie theater in 1917 as spinoff of Lyric Theater so Lyric could concentrate on stage plays and vaudeville acts. Had a large organ with full-time organist for playing silent film music scores. Adapted to sound films about 1929. The Strand was one of several large ornate movie theaters in Allentown Central Business District, providing Saturday morning matinees, serials, and multiple film showings daily. The movie theater was closed in 1953 due to the popularity of Television. Theater lobby became retail space, auditorium became warehouse and distribution center for Farr Shoes. For decades after its closure as a movie theater, its large theater marquee remained attached to the front of the building, used for advertising of the retail store in the front lobby section. Sold 1986, auditorium torn down for parking lot use. Lobby section renovated during the early 2000s, now used for retail and office space.[6]
- Towne Theater (1918–1982, 850 seats)
- 343 N. Sixth Street
- Map location: 40°36′29″N 075°28′19″W
- Originally Lotus Theater, opened about 1918 owned by the Herrity Brothers at 6th and Gordon Streets. In 1922, the theater organ was upgraded to a Mueller. It was renamed Towne in 1932. The Towne was a classic neighborhood theater. Normal showtimes would be from about 12:00 noon until 11 pm. On Saturdays, would open at 10:00 am. Would show several serials, cartoons, and westerns aimed at children and teenagers. The Towne was primarily a second-run theater that showed Hollywood films after their first run showing at the major theaters on Hamilton Street. Features would start at 5:00 pm and be shown until the theater would close between 10 and 11 pm. Would also show short features as well as Movietone News clips. The Towne ended feature film showings in 1957 due to a lack of attendance due to television. It became a foreign art film theater until 1961, when a lack of attendance caused it to convert to an adult porn theater until 1982 when it was finally closed due to wide availability of porn on home video. Totally renovated in the fall of 1982, now multi-family apartment complex.
- Traylor Engineering (1905–2011)
- 602 S. 10th Street
- Map location: 40°35′42″N 075°28′36″W
- Former industrial plant comprising seven buildings totaling over 260,000 square feet on over 17 acres of land. Dominated by a 121,000 square foot principal site. Initially a manufacturing plant for large mining industry equipment which was sold worldwide. After the start of World War I, Traylor Engineering provided artillery shells for the British military during World War I. Later manufactured ship engines, boilers and other marine parts for the United States after the US entry into the war. Was again a vital defense contractor during World War II. Sold in 1959 to the Fuller Company, manufactured mining and crushing equipment until the early 2000s.[94] Last tenant was Allentown Metal Works which took over the plant in 2008. Visited by President Barack Obama in December 2009 as part of his effort to stimulate the economy, the plant closed in January 2011 after a dispute between the owners and the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority. The vacant site was visited by U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney in June 2011 and filmed a campaign commercial there. Facility now closed, owned by Allentown Redevelopment Authority, although the buildings at the site are now over 100 years old.[150][151][152]
- Trexler Lumber Yard (1903–1973)
- 1616 W. Liberty Street
- Map location: 40°36′12″N 075°29′40″W
- Large lumber yard, origins dating to 1856. One of the largest lumber yards of its kind in the eastern United States, formerly owned by General Harry C Trexler, was primary family business and fortune. Its roofed lumber shed was called the largest of its kind in the world. Destroyed by fire in General Alarm blaze on March 31, 1973, one of the largest and most intense fires in Allentown history. During the fire, the thermometer on a home at 437 N. 16th Street recorded 120 degrees. Spectators a block away could feel the heat on their faces. On September 25, 1973, the Charles Kline Lodge of Allentown's B'nai B'rith purchased for $70,000 the former lumber yard for the construction of what are now the B'nai B'rith Apartments.[153]
- The Upper Story (1967–1980)
- 930 W. Hamilton Street, Second Floor
- Map location: 40°36′02″N 075°28′35″W
- The Upper Story was the first 1960's counter-culture "Head Shop" in Allentown. The store sold incense, flower power buttons, peace signs, floppy hats, Nehru jackets and Landlubber jeans. It was one of the few places you could buy The Village Voice, Rolling Stone magazine and albums by Janis Joplin, The Doors, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix. The stairs leading to the store were painted in psychedelic Day-Glo paint and illuminated with black lights. By the late 1970s, the counterculture of the 1960s had faded into history and the store was closed. Today, the building is a multi-story office building that shows no evidence of its 60's counter-culture past.[154]
- J.B. Van Sciver Furniture Co. (1937–1983)
- 1002 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′00″N 075°28′40″W
- The J.B. Van Sciver Furniture Co. was a furniture company, founded by Joseph Bishop Van Sciver and later run by his sons, Joseph Bishop Van Sciver Jr., Lloyd Van Sciver, and Russell Van Sciver. The company was formed in Camden, New Jersey, in 1881 and opened an Allentown store in 1937. In 1983, it closed down. Today the building is used by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- Venerable Shoe and Boot Factory (1882–1900)
- 825 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′05″N 075°28′27″W
- Owned by William Roney, the "Venerable Shoe and Boot Factory" is notable for the introduction of electrical power into Allentown. In 1882, Roney bought a Westinghouse A.C. Dynamo to power his factory. In 1883, a number of nearby businesses bought power from him, and he expanded as the Allentown Electric Light and Power Company.[100] The Shoe and Boot Factory was out of business by 1900, as the building is listed as being subdivided into several stores, however, the electric utility remained in business.
- In 1907, the Lehigh Valley Transit Company erected a large electrical powerhouse to run its streetcar system at Second and Front Street ( 40°36′26″N 075°27′29″W ). The powerhouse generating equipment included 500, 1,000 and 2,500 horsepower steam turbines. Along with the generating plant, the area included a large marshaling yard for streetcars and freight trollies that facilitated the delivery of coal for the boilers that powered the steam turbines.[100]
- General Harry Trexler, one of the principals of the Lehigh Valley Transit Company and a prominent businessman, was the principal behind the consolidation of these small utilities from Allentown along with others in the Coal Regions and Eastern Pennsylvania. This amalgamation became the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company in 1920. Pennsylvania Power and Light Company was renamed PPL Corporation in February 2000.[100]
- Victor Theater (1910–1928)
- 716 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′06″N 075°28′20″W
- Opened in 1910 as an early Nickelodeon style theater. Building dated to the mid-1800s. Had a narrow entry on Hamilton Street, located on either side of a ticket booth, and came in under the screen. Legend has it that there was always large cat on the premises to help control the theater’s rat population which you often felt running around at your feet. The building was absorbed, along with the adjoining buildings, into one large structure that was modernized in 1928 for the headquarters of Lehigh Portland Cement.
- 'Village Inn Restaurant (1936–1998)
- 4104 W. Tilghman Street
- Map location: 40°35′30″N 075°32′53″W
- Northeast Corner of Union Boulevard at Airport Road
- Map location: 40°37′28″N 075°26′32″W
- Notable Pennsylvania Dutch restaurants. Both built before World War II on Tilghman Street when it was still designated as US 22. The Village Inn was located in West Allentown, Walps in East Allentown, about six miles apart. Both restaurants were family-owned and welcomed thousands of families celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries and toasting newlyweds at wedding receptions, high school reunions and other occasions. Many local and out-of-town celebrities dined at the restaurants. Both were purchased by Rite-Aid and closed the day after Thanksgiving in 1998. Both buildings were torn down about 2002. Walps was replaced by super-pumper convenience store. Village Inn torn down and property redeveloped into several small business buildings.[155][156]
- 555 Union Boulevard
- Map location: 40°37′19″N 075°27′09″W
- The Western Electric plant on Union Boulevard was announced on October 11, 1945, after a nationwide search to locate a new manufacturing plant. Delays caused by shortages of construction material and the postwar Federal Civilian Production Board put a freeze on any new building projects that did not involve easing the national housing crunch delayed the opening of the plant until 11 October 1948. The Western Electric plant would be 250,000 square feet in size, cost $2.5 million and employ both men and women. The area's trained female workforce was cited as a particular reason for picking Allentown. The facility would involve glass working and the production of vacuum tubes and quartz crystals. However, advances in technology meant that the plant's planned use would be very different.
- With Bell Lab scientists and a skilled Allentown labor pool, Western Electric soon found itself at the forefront of the revolution in electronics. The plant would produce a tiny metal device about the size of a shoelace tip, serves nearly all the functions of a conventional vacuum tube, the transistor. On 1 October 1951, the world's first transistor production began at the Allentown plant. It would become the backbone of a communications revolution. Over the years the Allentown plant was at the forefront of the postwar electronics revolution. In the years to come, work at the plant included the development of the Telstar communications satellite and the first United States crewed space flights. By 1964 there were 6,000 employees working at the facility. Western Electric came to an end in 1995 when AT&T changed the name of AT&T Technologies to Lucent Technologies. Lucent was merged with Alcatel SA of France in 2006, Allentown manufacturing facility was subsequently closed and is currently vacant.[157]
- Wetherhold & Metzger (1908–1987)
- 719 W. Hamilton Street
- Map location: 40°36′07″N 075°28′21″W
- Local Shoe Store in the Allentown area. George A. Wetherhold and Owen W. Metzger opened their first store at 714 Hamilton Street in 1908. However, according to Metzger, "It was on the wrong side of the street", and in 1918, the store moved to the more prominent north side, at 719 Hamilton Street, where it remained for the next 69 years. Wetherhold & Metzger also had an uptown store in the 900 block of Hamilton Street. Over the decades, Wetherhold owned and operated about 11 stores under the names of Wetherhold, Shoe Rack, Kristy Shoes and Shoes by Gina. The store closed and was sold in May 1987 with the demise of the Hamilton Street shopping district. In September 2012, the store at 719 Hamilton was demolished, along with most of Allentown's mercantile history as a part of the Onc City Center/PPL Plaza/Reconnaissance Hotel construction project.[158][159]
- Wright Montessori School (1915–1957)
- 933 N. Ott Street
- Map location: 40°36′17″N 075°31′06″W
- Private school, founded by Ada V. Wright in 1915, based on education principles of Maria Montessori. A teacher in the Allentown School District, she opened her first private school in 1915 at her father's home at 1449 W. Turner Street with 15 students. In 1922 the school opened at a larger home at 1536 Walnut Street. The school moved to 922 Ott Street in 1940. The school on Ott street was built about 1917 by Maximilian Juruick, an engineer as a private home. It was the first home built on Ott Street. Juruick and his family moved out in 1923. It was a Muhlenberg College fraternity house during the late 1920s. In 1931, the Great Depression reduced the number of students at the college, and the fraternity closed its doors. Over the years, the school educated many of Allentown's wealthy students and future business and civic leaders. in 1950 it was the first co-educational private school in the state to have met the academic standards for membership in the Pennsylvania Association of Private Academic Schools. The school closed in 1957, shortly after Wright's retirement. Today a private residence, many of the books used by the school from the 1930s to 1950s are in storage inside the home's attic[160]
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