Cities across America have plenty of stories to tell about the history of the area and who made the city what it is today. Take a historical and educational tour of Allentown and learn some interesting and intriguing facts about the past and its influence on the city.
Mack Truck Historical Museum
Like trains that were used to ship cargo across the U.S., so, too, have Mack trucks played their role in helping to build America with their line of heavy-duty trucks. The first was produced in 1938 and Mack trucks are still rolling today. Not only are they used for jobs such as hauling and dumping, during WWII, because of their sturdy construction, Mack trucks were used for military purposes.
All in all, the trucks have a diverse history all their own, which can be seen at the Mack Truck Historical Museum. Learn about the truck’s history through memorabilia, photos, and vintage Mack trucks. The museum is open for tours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lock Ridge Park and Furnace Museum
The 59-acre park is located less than 30 minutes from Allentown in Alburtis and features hiking and biking trails winding through wooded areas and walking paths set amid a lovely landscape highlighted by bluebells displaying their spikes of brilliant blue coloring.
At the heart of the park, the Lock Ridge Furnace stands grandly as it did when built in 1868. It is an impressive complex of structures that were in operation as an iron mill until 1921. One of the buildings serves as a museum with exhibits about the history of iron production in Lehigh County. Visitors can tour the furnace on their own at any time. Guided tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. from May to September. Lock Ridge Furnace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Trout Hall
Constructed in 1770 with Colonial-style architecture by James Allen, son of the city’s founder, Trout Hall is an example of the grace and elegance of that time. The beautifully furnished home depicting the lifestyle of the wealthy during the American Revolution era in Allentown in 1770 is the city’s oldest stone mansion. It is open for tours from 1 pm. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from May through September. Trout Hall became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Tickets to tour the Trout Hall mansion can be purchased at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum.
Saylor Park Cement Industry Museum
Located less than 15 minutes from Allentown in the city of Coplay, nine impressive 90-foot tall Schoefer Kilns stand ready to still do their job of making cement. Built around 1892, the kilns were a major producer of Portland cement until 1904. The kilns are in the 2.6-acre Saylor Park, which surrounds the kilns with hiking and walking trails. Saylor Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Whether you’re enjoying an indoor history lesson on transportation and lifestyles of the past or visiting the historical outdoor structures that impacted the industrial makeup of the Allentown area, you’ll come away with vivid and memorable images of times past.
Saylor Park (2) by Nicholas_T is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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