Bethlehem, Industrial heritage destination in Pennsylvania, US
Description
Bethlehem is a city in eastern Pennsylvania that sits along the Lehigh River and spans both Northampton County and Lehigh County. The community rests at an elevation of roughly 109 meters (358 feet) and operates as a self-governed municipality with its own administrative framework.
History
Moravian settlers from Europe founded the community in 1741 and established a religious settlement in the wilderness. Over the 19th and 20th centuries the city grew into a major steel production hub until the large mills closed in 1995.
Culture
The city carries its biblical name since European settlers arrived on Christmas Eve and wanted to honor the birthplace of Jesus. Today visitors walk through the old downtown area where 18th-century stone buildings still stand and serve everyday purposes, showing how the early community lived and worked.
Practical
The municipality maintains public offices for permits, taxes, and building matters that can help visitors with orientation questions. The downtown area is walkable, and many former industrial sites are now open to the public.
Did you know?
In the 1930s the community adopted the nickname Christmas City USA after becoming the first place in America to display a decorated Christmas tree publicly. Today a large star still shines on South Mountain during the holiday season and can be seen from far away.
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Hill to Hill Bridge
1.4 km
Bethlehem Waterworks
1 km
Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District
919 m
Burnside Plantation
1.3 km
Pembroke Village
1.4 km
Philip J. Fahy Memorial Bridge
1.2 km
Gemeinhaus-Lewis David de Schweinitz Residence
958 m
Central Bethlehem Historic District
1 km
South Bethlehem Downtown Historic District
1.5 km
Elmwood Park Historic District
865 m
Gristmiller's House
881 mPayne Gallery
683 mProsser Auditorium
821 mBethlehem House Gallery
834 mThe Sun Inn
699 mThe Bach Choir of Bethlehem
824 mCharles A. Brown Icehouse
1.2 kmLevitt Pavilion SteelStacks
1.4 kmHighmark Blue Shield Community Stage
1.5 kmMock Turtle Puppet Theater
1.2 kmPayne Gallery
1.1 kmJohn Amos Comenius Monument
737 mNittany Lion Mascot Statue
882 mThe Bridge
1.5 kmStatue, Work of art
1 kmAmos The Greyhound
891 mMarcon Overlook
930 mWaterfall
1.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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