Central Bethlehem Historic District

The Central Bethlehem Historic District is a neighborhood containing around 165 preserved buildings made primarily of brick and stone, typically rising two and a half stories. The structures date from different periods and document the evolution from a religious community to an industrial town.

The area started in 1741 as a Moravian settlement and gradually transformed into an industrial center during the 1800s. This shift is visible in the architecture, which ranges from early religious buildings to later factory and commercial structures.

The communal buildings of the Moravian faith stand as physical reminders of how this religious community organized daily life together. Walking through the district, you can observe how the architecture reflects the values of shared living that defined this settlement.

The district spreads across downtown and is easy to explore on foot, with boundaries marked by Main Street, Nevada Street, East Broad Street, and the Lehigh River. Most buildings are visible from public streets, though some are private residences or closed businesses.

The Nisky Hill Cemetery is one of the few places where you can still visit the earliest phase of the Moravian settlement. This burial ground reveals how central the faith was to those who established the community.