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

Allentown's First Park

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— West Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania —

Allentown's First Park Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. Allentown's First Park Marker

Inscription.

In the late 1800s, this land almost became a reservoir instead of a park. City officials thought the high ground would supply good water pressure for their firefighting system. After they changed their minds, the empty lot became a baseball field, complete with a ball diamond and bleachers.

Allentown's leading citizen, General Harry C. Trexler, looked at the ball field in 1906 - and envisioned a park. Helped along by Trexler's handsome private gift, Allentown's first city park became a reality in 1908. West Park, originally known as City Park, welcomed the first of many happy crowds on September 17 of that year.

[Photo captions, clockwise from top, read]
• An early concert in West Park

• View from band shell stage, early 20th century

• West Park's fountain and band shell, early 20th century

• West Park's fountain, 1947

• West Park fountain - 1913-1914

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1906.

Location. 40° 35.971′ N, 75° 29.488′ W. Marker is in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. Marker is at the West Park bell gazebo, about 100 feet north of the band shell. 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

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Franklin Fire Co. No. 10 Bell (here, next to this marker); West Park Centennial Time Capsule (a few steps from this marker); Band City U.S.A. (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); United States Army Ambulance Corps Service (about 400 feet away); China-Burma-India Memorial (about 400 feet away); C Company, 109th Machine Gun Battalion (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allentown.

Also see . . .
1. West Park, Allentown PA. (Submitted on June 9, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. General & Mrs. Harry C. Trexler. (Submitted on June 9, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. General Harry Trexler. (Submitted on June 9, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

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

2. Allentown's First Park Marker

West Park Fountain image. Click for full size.

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

3. West Park Fountain

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.