Allentown in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Band City U.S.A.

West Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 8, 2021

1. Band City U.S.A. Marker

Inscription.

Music has always been a vital part of West Park's charm. Horace Trumbauer, a well-known architect of the early 1900s, designed the park's band shell. He created a design that would complement J. Franklin Mechan's elegant plan for the landscape.

The band shell is home to The Allentown Band, the oldest civilian band in America. The Band, founded in 1828, played at the opening of the park in September 1908 and it still plays here today. Famous for the number and quality of its bands, Allentown is known as "Band City U.S.A."

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1908.

Location. 40° 35.937′ N, 75° 29.467′ W. Marker is in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. Marker is in West Park, about 100 feet SE of the band shell, and about 150 feet NNW of the intersection of Linden and 16th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Allentown PA 18102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. West Park Centennial Time Capsule (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin Fire Co. No. 10 Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Allentown's First Park

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(within shouting distance of this marker); A Plan for the Plantings (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Remembering Allentown's Heroes (about 400 feet away); U.S.S. Allentown (about 400 feet away); U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II (about 400 feet away); USAACS Sons & Daughters World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allentown.

Also see . . .
1. West Park, Allentown PA. City website entry (Submitted on June 8, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. History of The Allentown Band. Band website homepage (Submitted on June 8, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 8, 2021

2. Band City U.S.A. Marker

West Park Band Shell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 8, 2021

3. West Park Band Shell

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear photo of the marker (it was a hot, muggy, rainy summer day that played havoc with the camera autofocus) • Can you help?