1894 Map of Allentown

About this map

The Lehigh River corridor serves as the industrial and transportation spine of this region during the late nineteenth century. Parallel lines of the Lehigh Canal, Central RR of New Jersey, and the Lehigh Valley RR trace the water’s edge, facilitating the movement of coal and iron through a dense network of riverside boroughs. The map illustrates the growth of manufacturing hubs like Catasauqua, Hokendauqua, and Siegfried, where the convergence of rail and river power established a dominant regional economy.