ALBURTIS – LOCKRIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
407 FRANKLIN ST., PO Box 85, ALBURTIS, PA 18011
MEETINGS HELD SECOND THURSDAY OF MONTH
NOVEMBER THRU APRIL
7:00 PM
IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE CHURCH
Clothes from the past Shuler Carriage – made in Alburtis
Our olde time kitchen Camp Fire Girls and Boy Scouts
Alburtis Railroad Station
The Catasauqua and Fogelsville Railroad, a joint venture of the Crane Iron Co.,
Catasauqua and the Thomas Iron Co., Hokendauqua, was built to improve transport of
iron ore from various mines in the surrounding area. The line was extended to Alburtis
in 1864, forming a junction with the East Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1865, the line was
again extended, crossing the East Penn and terminating at the mines in Rittenhouse Gap,
Berks County.
Due to railroad access and iron mine locations, the Thomas Iron Co. purchased a
tract of land, consisting of 88 acres and 101 perches located southeast of the intersection
of the Catasauqua and Fogelsville and East Penn Railroads. The land was resold to the
Lockridge Iron Co. on March 4, 1867. Construction of the Lockridge Furnace began in
1867, with the first furnace put into blast on March 18, 1868. The second furnace was
blown in on July 9, 1869. Following startup, the Lockridge Iron Co. was purchased by
the Thomas Iron Co. Real estate holdings increased to 170 acres and 93 perches. By the
time furnace operations commenced, construction of a substantial superintendent’s
residence, two homes for foremen and housing for thirty four families of furnace
employees was completed. For single employees, a boarding house was also maintained
at the furnace site. Land was set aside for a church and cemetery. This entire area,
abutting Alburtis, became known as Lockridge.
Lockridge Furnace
Small mines opened throughout the area and unsightly open pits cluttered the
landscape. These mines were moneymakers for the property owners and aesthetics took
a back seat to wealth. On February 5, 1877 a section of mine, believed to be the
Hensinger mine, collapsed, killing two workers. Information is sketchy, but William
Hunsberger, age 25, with a pregnant wife and other children was one of the casualties.
Reese Lewis, age 27, with three young children was the other fatality. Both are buried,
side by side, in Lehigh Church cemetery.
area was known as Alburtis. Obviously one industry is not enough to support a
community and efforts were made to attract other employers. Several shirt factories
located here, creating many new jobs. In 1897, ground was broken for a silk mill, which
was equipped with twenty five broad silk looms and employed thirty persons. In 1902
the frame structure was completely destroyed by fire and it was replaced by a brick
structure in 1904. A shoe factory opened around the turn of the century, but lasted for
only a short period.
In 1870 a new school building was constructed, but increased population
necessitated a larger structure, which was built in 1874. The latter was maintained as a
school until the mid 1950s, when it was replaced by a more modern facility. After being
vacant for several years, the facility was sold to the Borough of Alburtis by the East Penn
School District on May 7, 1963 for $324.42, plus $64.55 for legal services. After repairs
and renovations, the building was utilized as Alburtis Borough Hall for more than thirty-
five years. When it was determined that major costs would have to be incurred to
maintain the structure, council decided the building should be replaced. At 7:30 AM on
September 8, 1998, demolition of the existing structure began. Construction of the new
Borough Hall began shortly thereafter and in May, 1999 the facility opened. .
Alburtis School
The majority of freeholders residing in the town of Alburtis made an application
for a charter of incorporation. The Court of Quarter Sessions, on May 9, 1913
decreed “that the said town of Alburtis, be incorporated into a borough, in conformity
with the prayer of the petitioners; that the corporate style and title thereof shall be The
Borough of Alburtis, according to the boundaries set forth in the petition.” It was
further decreed that the said borough shall be a separate election and school district and
that the American Hotel, Tilden E. Kuhns, proprietor, be designated and constituted the
polling place of the said borough. It was further provided that the first election, for the
election of officers provided by law, should be held on Tuesday, the 10th day of June,
1913.
At the first meeting held June 13, 1913 at Knedler’s Hall, the Burgess and
Council took their oaths of office. By motion: to use high school room as meeting place
on second Monday of month at 7:30 PM.
On January 28, 1915, a committee was established to provide police protection
for the borough. A part time policeman hired, starting April 1, 1915 and to continue for
one year. Compensation established at $75.00 per annum. Council determined that
police shall be provided with all necessities pertaining to his office. A review of bills for
payment indicates that $15.90 was spent for equipment. The policeman was reappointed
for another year on April 1, 1916. For conduct unbecoming an officer, he was relieved of
duties on September 5, 1916.
At a special meeting held June 4, 1917 to determine if council will purchase a
Motor Chemical Apparatus for the Fire Co., council was in agreement, providing Fire
Co. assumes some financial responsibility and also provides suitable storage space. At
the September 12, 1917 meeting, it was reported that the Fire Co. found it impossible to
accept proposition by council. Representatives of Ideal Motor Car Co. present at
February 4, 1918 meeting. They reported that a Vin Fire Apparatus is available at a cost
of $1645.00, while a model used for demonstration purposes, can be purchased for
$1250.00. Council authorized preparation of ordinance to purchase truck for $1250.00
on May 6, 1918. Ideal Motor Car Co. instructed to have the words “Alburtis No. 1”
painted in as large letters as possible on both sides of the body.
Alburtis Fire Co. – ca 1918
In 1914, according to Rev. Frank P. Laros (1878 – 1929): “The Borough of
Alburtis having become a fact the future conceals within her bosom its possibilities of
progress and development. The advantages of a good railway system, its proximity to the
county seat, its excellent situation, the previous enterprise of its citizens for its industrial
development, it bids fair to become one of the most prosperous boroughs of the county,
and one of the most preferable residential centers between Allentown and Reading.
The borough now contains two churches, a post office, a railway depot, express
and telegraph office, a school house, a feed store, a feed, lumber and coal yard, one
saddler shop, three grocery and general merchandise stores, a cigar and shoe store, a
novelty store, a drug store, a tailor shop, three hotels, a saloon and restaurant, a
carriage works, a butcher shop, barber shop, blacksmith shop, two shirt factories,
furnaces and silk mills.
The population of the borough is approximately 700 inhabitants, occupying 160
dwellings.”
Rev. Frank P. Laros
iron was imported at prices much lower than that of locally produced products. Local
furnaces were shut down and by the end of 1921, Lockridge Furnace was no longer in
operation. The furnace property was sold and in the course of the next few years, the
structures were demolished for scrap purposes. On November 7, 1924, dynamite blasts
forever ended the iron industry in Alburtis. The property lay idle until 1970 when Lehigh
County purchased the property. The area was transformed into Lockridge Park and
Museum, which officially opened in August, 1976. The park includes the partially
restored iron works complex and surrounding land. An extensive path system is suited
for walking or biking. The Furnace Museum is unique and is dedicated to the anthracite
iron industry. The park is open daily, from dawn to dusk with ample parking areas.
The depression also took its toll. Shirt factories were forced to close and left
countless residents without jobs. Industries never made the rebound and today Alburtis
has become a total residential community, with a population of approximately 2,300
persons. Rev. Laros’ dreams of industrial development were short lived, but his vision of
being one of the most preferable residential centers became a reality. Chronologically,
we are the “baby borough” in Lehigh County and what we lack in years, is overshadowed
by the history surrounding its growth.
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last updated March, 2009 |
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