click on picture to enlarge With the American flag in hand, this trolley conductor takes a few moments to pose for a picture with a few curious onlookers in front of the Butztown Hotel (circa 1910). |
Through the years, Bethlehem Township was not without trouble with the Native Americans. Among the original pioneer families of the Township were families by the names of Cleyder, Buss, Kocher, Bunstein, Hartzel, Hanshue and Ritter. They settled on farms between Hecktown and Farmersville. On one occasion a settler was captured by Indians. According to a prearranged plan, he dropped broken twigs along the path and his friends were able to follow him; thereby rescuing him at night. Later, one of the Cleyders was murdured by an Indian and one of the brothers spent the rest of his life hunting and killing Indians to avenge his brother's death. |
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In 1776, land in the Township was bought at .27 cents per acre. Industry, mostly milling and later a paint factory (Blue Mt. Paint Mills), grew in the Township until the time of the Civil War. By this time the size of Bethlehem was much the same as it is today, having lost part to Nazareth in 1780 and more in 1807. The Borough of Bethlehem was lost in 1845 and Freemansburg in 1856. Real estate and taxes increased in the Township in the mid 1800's along with growth. By 1870, the population was 2,230. Between 1910 and 1930, a wave of immigration spurred an increase in population. "Miller Heights" was started in the 1920's from an old Township farm. |
click on picture to enlarge Originally used as a tow path, mules would pull boats with people and supplies along the canal. Today this path serves as a senic route for joggers. |
click on picture to enlarge One of the several historic stone homes in the Township of Bethlehem. |
In November 1929, the stock market crashed and the national economy slumped. For residents of the Township, depression was the same as it was over the whole country. Then in 1941, World War 2 began. All able-bodied men of the Township went to serve their country. In 1945 they returned home. From about 1945 to 1954, an excess of what historians called "war babies" assured a steady increase in the Township's population. Throughout the 1950's the Township experienced substantial construction and expanded significantly. On January 1st, 1963, Bethlehem Township was incorporated as a First Class Township of Northampton County, Pa. |
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