Flash From Past

Occasionally, some of the older boys in Lehigh Parkway would get saddled with taking me along to a Saturday matinee in downtown Allentown. We would get the bus from in front of the basement church on Jefferson Street. It would take that congregation many years to afford completing the church building there today. The bus would go across the 8th Street Bridge, which was built to accommodate the trolleys operated by Lehigh Valley Transit Company. Downtown then sported no less than five movie theaters at any one time. Particularly matinee friendly was the Midway, in the 600 Block of Hamilton. Three cartoons and episode or two of Flash Gordon entertained our entourage, which ranged in age from five to eleven years old. We younger kids, although delighted by the likes of Bugs Bunny, were confused how the Clay People would emerge from the walls in the caves on Mars to capture Captain Gordon, but our chaperones couldn't wait till the next week to learn Flash's fate. Next on the itinerary was usually a banana split at Woolworth's. Hamilton Street had three 5 and 10's, with a million things for boys to marvel at. The price of the sundae was a game of chance, with the customer picking a balloon. Inside the balloon was your price, anywhere from a penny to the full price of fifty cents. The store had a full selection of Allentown souvenirs. Pictures of West Park on a plate, the Center Square Monument on a glass, pennants to hang on your wall, and picture postcards of all the attractions. Hamilton Street was mobbed, and even the side streets were crowded with busy stores. Taking younger kids along was a responsibility for the older brothers, the streets and stores were crowded, but predators were limited to the Clay People on the silver screen.

reprinted from April 11, 2011

Renaming Allentown

As an advocate for the Allentown park system, especially the WPA structures, I often write about Joseph Daddona Park, which I refer to as Union Terrace, its former original and long term name. Likewise, I refer to Andre Reed Park as Irving. Even Martin Luther King Drive is still Lawrence Street to me. 

As a local historian, these name changes reflect fads and wokeness. What brings me back to this topic is the recent decision by the Allentown School Board to rename a couple of our schools. 

So there are two sixty year olds talking. 

 I remember you in third grade at Ruby Bridges School. 

Bridges School, where the hell is that?

That's what they call Lincoln now.

Who's Bridges?

I have no idea

photo of future blogger at Mayday 1952, Lehigh Parkway School, at least still for now

Another Diner Gone In Allentown

This weekend diner expert and Allentown native Richard Gutman had a special treat in Dearborn Michigan, the Henry Ford Museum is featuring a retrospective on Gutmans' works. If it involves diners, Gutman has been involved with its history for over fifty years.  Congratulations Mr. Gutman!

Here in Allentown we have lost a few diners in the past several years. On Tilghman Street, both Dina's downtown, and Nick's, farther west on the same street. 

We still have our share, and most of us have our memories of time spent in one or more of them.

A Force In Allentown

I received a nice compliment the other day, somebody told me that I was a force in Allentown. I'll take the compliment as remuneration for the time and effort put into this blog. I see blogging as a component of community activism. My posts, in addition to Allentown politics, also cover local history. These subjects are not unrelated, as local political ambitions and projects are often at the expense of our history and culture. I regret my lack of diplomacy, but blame genetics. Today's photograph predates the current concrete Hamilton Street bridge, with its two west side entrance ramps. The former old metal bridge, had Union and Hamilton Streets merged into one ramp, passing the massive Arbogast & Bastian Meat Packing Plant. Next week, another historic bridge is in jeopardy. Although structurally sound, Lehigh County has appropriated funds to replace the stone arch bridge by Union Terrace. More on that later....

reprinted from March of 2012

ADDENDUM MAY 24, 2024: I fought successfully to save the historic Reading Road Bridge referenced above. I was also successful, with the help of others, with Wehr's Dam. Although official committees are not my style, I'm hoping to be appointed to the new park non-profit board, as an ambassador for the WPA structures.

The Lost Bridge Of Union Terrace

The waterway around Union Terrace is divided. Cedar Creek, in addition to running in front of the Amphitheater stage, also runs on the elementary school side of the former ice skating pond. The leg of the creek that connects the two branches runs along the north side of the pond. Two bridges used to cross that creek leg; one for former train branch line and one for park users.  The train branch line ended service to Wentz's Memorial Company years ago. The park department has also ended service to park users...The people bridge has also been removed. The park can no longer be entered from Walnut Street.  

On the north side of the park along Walnut Street, the steel plates from which the metal skaters were cut, now stand stranded from their cutouts. Between them, across the now bridge-less creek leg, the pond is full of algae. 

Union Terrace was the last major WPA project in Allentown. Ice skating at the pond was an Allentown ritual. The park was a former source of pride for all citizens, regardless of where they lived in Allentown. 

As an advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA, I get very frustrated by having to use the adjective former so often when writing about our park features.

reprinted from June of 2022

ADDENDUM MAY 23, 2024:Today we learn that a new non-profit is being started to complement the Allentown Park Department. They apparently are looking to fill seats on their director board. I know of a certain blogger who is actually quite knowledgeable about the park system.

Joseph S. Daddona

Joe Daddona was mayor of Allentown four terms. Yesterday, when I visited the Reading Road Bridge, I saw the For Sale sign on the Daddona house, which adjoins Union Terrace. Actually, the park is now named for the former mayor. One of Joe's many accomplishments was to refurbish the historic Reading Road Bridge in 1980. It was under his leadership and pride that the adjoining pedestrian bridge was added at that time. Built in 1824, it was one of first bridges in Lehigh County. The current leadership takes campaign credit in replacing the bridges throughout the county. Although all identified defective bridges have already been replaced, they are now simply replacing older bridges. This bridge, in addition to being part of the county history, is part of the park's charm. Please join me this evening, and convince the County Commissioners to retain this important part of our past. Your presence would be appreciated at either one, or both, of two meetings on the topic. The committee meeting will be at 5:45 on the 4th fl. of Government Center. The main Commissioner Meeting, and vote, will take place at 7:30, in the first floor chamber.

file photograph from The Morning Call archives. 

above reprinted from March of 2012

ADDENDUM MAY 22, 2024: Although nobody did join me, I managed to save the historic Reading Road Bridge. However, the small park bridge from the Walnut side of the park was removed several years ago, rather than repaired. This missing park entrance significantly degrades Union Terrace*. To enter the amphitheater area from the north, one must now walk down to St. Emmo Street.

*In all respect to Daddona, I prefer to use the historic name of parks in Allentown. I do not believe that parks or streets should be renamed.