Walnutport in Northampton County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lehigh River
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 6, 2015
1. Lehigh River Marker
Inscription.
Lehigh River. . Once owned by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, the Lehigh River was the only privately owned river in the United States. In 1818 the Pennsylvania Legislature gave the company the right to make the river navigable for the transportation of coal. The company’s leaders, Josiah White and Erskine Hazard, helped develop a system of dams, bear trap locks, and canals to aid in the transportation of coal. The industrial revolution was fueled by the hundreds of thousands of tons of coal and other raw materials transported down the river to Philadelphia.
Once owned by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, the Lehigh River was the only privately owned river in the United States. In 1818 the Pennsylvania Legislature gave the company the right to make the river navigable for the transportation of coal. The company’s leaders, Josiah White and Erskine Hazard, helped develop a system of dams, bear trap locks, and canals to aid in the transportation of coal. The industrial revolution was fueled by the hundreds of thousands of tons of coal and other raw materials transported down the river to Philadelphia.
Erected 2008 by Northern Lehigh Future Focus.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.
Location. 40° 45.172′ N, 75° 36.098′ W. Marker is in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, in Northampton County. Marker is on Lehigh Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Walnutport PA 18088, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
