Before looking at Allentown houses for sale, let’s see how the city has developed. Originally an agricultural community settled by German-speaking Pennsylvania Dutch people, the geographic area that today comprises the center of the city was initially laid out in 1762 by William Allen, a wealthy shipping merchant and former mayor of the city of Philadelphia. The town was officially named Allentown in 1838 after years of popular usage of that name and was formally incorporated as a city in 1867. The Lehigh Canal, along the east side of the Lehigh River, was completed in 1829 to transport recently discovered coal to major markets. The opening of the canal transformed Allentown and the Lehigh Valley from a rural area dominated by German-speaking people into one America's first urbanized industrialized areas and expanded the city's commercial and industrial capacity greatly. In 1855, the first of many railroads was built which led to a decline in canal traffic. With the discovery of iron ore locally, Allentown became a major center for heavy industry and manufacturing. In addition to iron and railroads, Allentown also developed a strong brewing tradition and was home to several notable breweries, whose successors now make Samuel Adams beer. Other significant businesses over the years were brickworks, silk and rayon mills, Mack Trucks and electronics. However, with industrial decline, the 1970s saw the hollowing out of the downtown retail sector and the middle-class left for the suburbs where newer shopping malls had become established. The city was often cited as a leading example of 20th century Rust Belt challenges. At the beginning of the new century, the state legislature created a 128-acre Neighborhood Improvement Zone to encourage development and revitalization, particularly Center City and the Riverfront. An Economic Development Corporation was set up as a business incubator to attract and support young commercial and manufacturing businesses. The Central Business District was redeveloped, including the construction of a 10,500-seat indoor arena that hosts a professional American Hockey League team and other sports, entertainment and concert events. The redevelopment included a full-service hotel and office buildings.

After you settle into your new Allentown house, you’ll want to discover some of the exciting sights available around your new home.
Coca-Cola Park is home to the winning triple-A baseball franchise, The Iron Pigs, and hosts a number of special events and community gatherings.
The PPL Center is an 8,500 seat indoor sports arena, home to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League, the primary development team for the Philadelphia Flyers.
The America on Wheels Museum opened in 2008 as a tribute to the country’s over-the-road transportation systems. The 23,000 square feet of exhibit space divided into three main galleries and several smaller exhibits is in a former meat packing plant and part of the revitalization of its community.
Merchants Square Model Train Exhibit has over 40 model trains rolling down 18,000 feet of track, more than 1,000 miniature structures, 30,000 lights illuminating the stars, sky, moon and buildings and a real thunderstorm.
The Da Vinci Science Center is a science museum which has been a leader in bringing science to life and lives to science. Especially fun for the young and young at heart.
The Liberty Bell Museum is located in Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, a hidden gem in Center City. The site of the first church in Allentown, it was used as a refuge during Indian raids, a Revolutionary War hospital, a gathering place for the reading of the Declaration of Independence and a hiding place for the Liberty Bell. It now houses an exact replica of the bell, which visitors can ring.
Much of Allentown's park system is attributable to the efforts of industrialist Harry Clay Trexler, who helped create West Park in an upscale area of the city, featuring a bandshell, home to many community bands. He facilitated the development of Trexler Park, Cedar Parkway and the Allentown Municipal Golf Course.
Other city parks include Bicentennial Park with a 4,600-seat stadium for sporting events, Cedar Creek Parkway, Irving Street Park, Kimmets Lock Park, Lehigh Canal Park and Parkway, Jordan Park and Joe Daddona Park.