Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania

Geobox Township
name = Lower Saucon Township
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category =


image_size =
image_caption =


flag_size =
symbol =
symbol_size =
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region = Northampton
region_type = County
district =
area_imperial = 24.3
area_land_imperial = 24.1
area_water_imperial = 0.2
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 38
lat_s = 00
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 16
long_s = 59
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 417
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 3735
population_density_imperial = 409.4
population_density_round = 1
established_type =
established =
mayor =
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code =
postal_code_type =
area_code = 610
area_code_type =
code2_type =
code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Lower Saucon Township in Northampton County
map1 = Pennsylvania Locator Map.png map1_caption = Location of Lower Saucon Township in Pennsylvania
map1_locator = Pennsylvania
map2 = Map of USA PA.svg
map2_caption = Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
website = http://www.lowersaucontownship.org

Lower Saucon Township is a township in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. Lower Saucon Township is located in the Lehigh Valley region of the state.

The population of Lower Saucon Township was 9,884 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 24.3 square miles (62.9 km²), of which, 24.1 square miles (62.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (0.62%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,884 people, 3,735 households, and 2,890 families residing in the township. The population density was 409.4 people per square mile (158.1/km²). There were 3,915 housing units at an average density of 162.2/sq mi (62.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.73% White, 0.56% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 3,735 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.6% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the township the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $59,964, and the median income for a family was $68,457. Males had a median income of $46,727 versus $30,256 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,280. About 2.0% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.

Public education

The Township is served by the Saucon Valley School District.

History

Until the mid-17th century, the Lenni Lenape (Delaware) tribes hunted and inhabited the land of Lower Saucon Township. European traders first appeared in the area prior to 1700, and the Native Americans peacefully traded with these outsiders, although some minor skirmishes did occur. William Penn was granted land on March 4, 1681, by King Charles II to repay a debt owed to Penn’s father. The land grant included what is now Lower Saucon Township. However, Penn soon realized that he needed to purchase the land from the Native Americans to maintain clear ownership. Penn advertised throughout Europe, offering 100-acre parcels of land for 40 shillings, subject to a rent of one shilling per annum forever.In 1737, Penn’s sons expanded their land holdings to include most of the Lehigh Valley through the “Walking Purchase.” Although the Lenni Lenape did not think this was a legitimate claim, they eventually moved out of the area, allowing Europeans to settle it. Sometime before 1737, Nathaniel Irish established a farm, built a grist and saw mill, and opened a land office for William Penn. He is considered the first European settler in Lower Saucon Township. His land later became known as Shimersville. Irish was the first justice of the peace in the area, and the first “King’s Highway,” from Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley, built in 1737, led to his property.Lower Saucon Township was chartered in 1743, when it was still a part of Bucks County. It was established in the rich farmland along the Saucon Creek. The name is of Native American origin, from sakunk, meaning “at the mouth of the creek.” The township also included South Bethlehem until 1865 and Hellertown until 1872. German immigrants, convinced by Penn’s favorable description of the New World, settled Lower Saucon Township in large numbers, beginning in the 1730’s. Some of the surnames of the early German settlers were Boehm, Wagner, Appel, Riegel, Lerch, Laubach, Oberley, Heller, Shimer, and Lutz. These early settlers were hardworking, and their farms prospered. There were numerous mills built to provide sawed wood, flour, textiles, paper, and gunpowder. Other early industry included lime kilns and the extracting of zinc and iron ore.During the Revolutionary War, many German farmers enlisted in the Continental army to fight the British. At a time when the army’s reserves were depleted, they offered to sell wheat and rye on credit. In 1777, soldiers of the Continental army transporting the Liberty Bell to Allentown passed through Lower Saucon, spending a night in Leithsville. The Marquis de Lafayette, according to legend, stopped at Wagner’s Tavern in Hellertown on his way to Bethlehem during the war.The first church, Lower Saucon Church, was established in 1734, soon after the early settlers had arrived. It was built by a German Reformed congregation on what is now Easton Road. There were 10 schools in place in the township even before the legislature of Pennsylvania adopted the public school system in 1834. These schools were established by the local church congregations.When the North Penn Railroad, connecting Philadelphia to Bethlehem, was completed in1856, this 55-mile line provided an impetus to building iron smelters in Bingen, Hellertown, and Iron Hill, due to the township’s wealth of iron ore and limestone. The railroad brought coal to this industry, transported pig iron to markets, and provided transportation for the township’s population. Lower Saucon Township felt the influence of the Bethlehem Steel Company. The executives purchased farmland in the township to build large estates, and the steel company became the largest employer in the area. When it ceased manufacturing in 1995, many residents of Lower Saucon suffered loss of employment.Today, farmland continues to be lost to housing developments at a startling rate. The township still processes beautiful woods, streams, and rolling hills, but care must be taken to preserve these open spaces that remain.

References

External links

* [http://www.lowersaucontownship.org/ Lower Saucon Township]
* [http://sauconvalley.info/ Saucon Valley Info] (community website with events & organizations listed)
* [http://www.lutzfranklin.com/ Lower Saucon Township Historical Society]