History Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

1 history

1.1 pre-european trading routes
1.2 18th - 20th centuries: coal mining era
1.3 national heritage area
1.4 d&l trail takes shape
1.5 merger national canal museum

history
pre-european trading routes

the corridor has long been busy crossroads. native american tribes such susquehannock, iroquois, leni lenape, , others traveled through northern region. delaware canal parallels old trading routes. many original native american villages developed here in wilds of pennsylvania drew european settlers in search of opportunity.

18th - 20th centuries: coal mining era

weigh lock scales determine tolls, 1873

in 1791, philip grinder found anthracite coal in summit hill, carbon county, pa. coal helped region develop , contributed america’s iron , steel industries. anthracite coal in region known stone coal because of rock-like hardness. anthracite created on millions of years countless layers of sediment compress plant debris swamps until becomes hard. delaware , lehigh national heritage corridor follows route stone coal took mine market, winding through northern mountains , along banks of lehigh , delaware rivers.

locktender s house , guard lock 8

in mid-1800s, lengthy network of locks, canals, , towpaths built ship anthracite, further aiding mining industry’s growth. lehigh canal system generated great deal of industrial development in form of mining , accompanying infrastructure. gave rise many towns , offshoot businesses, such timber cutting, sawmills, steel mills, tanneries, etc. delaware canal, on other hand, means of shipping goods , establishing commerce. supplemented existing overland routes resulting in lack of industrial boom along route. however, lehigh , delaware canals merged create part of grand transportation systems stretching appalachian mountains atlantic ocean. in 1862 massive flood, destroyed dams, locks, canal boats, , villages, helped shift shipping of anthracite coal towards railroads.

much canals, railroads helped transport goods , contribute development of region. asa packer s lehigh valley railroad, ran mauch chunk easton , on new york city, first rail line have significant impact. lehigh & susquehanna railroad, reading railroad, , pennsylvania railroad moved area create competition shipping of coal , goods. canals , railroads serve corridor’s backbone once transported coal, lumber, slate, iron, cement, , steel mountain market, fueling industrial revolution , supplying downstream industries more century. of products , businesses born out of coal , transportation connection, none significant bethlehem steel, locally known steel.

a national heritage area

a view of delaware canal, towpath @ left , rail in background

in 1988, u.s. congress designated corridor nationally significant, in recognition of 9 national historic landmarks, 6 national recreation trails, 2 national natural landmarks , hundreds of sites listed in national register of historic places. national heritage area region has been recognized united states congress unique qualities , resources. place combination of natural, cultural, historic, , recreational resources have shaped cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape. corridor 1 of forty-nine federally recognized national heritage ages.

heritage areas allow local communities cooperate on efforts preserve resources important them. partnership approach heritage development allows collaboration around theme, industry, and/or geographical feature influenced region’s culture , history. strategy encourages individuals , agencies prioritized programs , projects recognize, preserve, , celebrate many of america’s defining landscapes.

d&l trail takes shape

in 2013, work completed on 10 miles of trail white haven mountain top. section of trail locally known black diamond trail. first trail section leaves lehigh river; replaces abandoned rail beds. trailhead , parking lot near mountain top completed. trailhead located on land owned pa dcnr bureau of foresty , pa game commission. funding made possible $1.2m grant federal highway administration through penndot.

gaps in trail filled. gap filled @ crossing of state route 13 in levittown. gap filled between riverview park in palmer township , hugh moore park in easton.

merger national canal museum

in 2013, delaware & lehigh national heritage corridor began operating national canal museum under management agreement. marked beginning of three-year transition in 2 organizations become one. transition allowed d&l integrate management, finance, marketing, , development functions of 2 organizations. merger of 2 in 2017 culminated transition period. d&l surviving entity under enterprises operate. museum, along other operations of hugh moore historical park & museums, signature program of d&l. located in emrick technology center in easton, pennsylvania s hugh moore park.