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Allentown

Allentown is a city located on the Lehigh River, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. After Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it is Pennsylvania's third most populous city. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,632. It is the county seat of Lehigh County.

Allentown is the largest of three adjacent cities that comprise an area of eastern Pennsylvania known as the Lehigh Valley, with the cities of Bethlehem and Easton surrounding. Allentown is 60 miles (95 km) north of Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the United States, and 90 miles (145 km) west of New York City, the largest city.

Allentown is the home of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, a highly popular amusement park. Two four-year colleges, Muhlenberg College and Cedar Crest College, are based in Allentown. Air transport to and from the city is available through Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Allentown history

Allentown was founded in 1762 by William Allen, a leading figure in the American Revolutionary War and one of the first Mayors of Philadelphia. Allen originally called the city Northamptontown. However, the town quickly became known informally as "Allen's Town." In 1838 (58 years after Allen's death), the city's name was formally changed to Allentown in Allen's honor.

Allentown holds historical significance as the location where the Liberty Bell was hidden by the Second Continental Congress during a portion of the American Revolutionary War. As the British were attempting to seize Philadelphia in 1777, the Liberty Bell was moved north and hidden successfully by the colonies in the basement of the Old Zion Reformed Church, in 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, and is the only replica of its type.

Allentown is also home to Trout Hall, built in 1770 as the summer residence of James Allen, William Allen's son. Still standing, it is the city's oldest building structure.

The city has a strong tradition in the brewing of beer and was home to several notable breweries, including the Horlacher Brewery (founded 1897, closed 1978), the Neuweiler Brewery (founded 1875, closed 1968) and Schmidts, brewed by Pabst. Pabst's last standing brewery was located in Allentown before its brewing was contracted to Miller Brewing in 2001.