Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association

Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association Our Mission
HCPA was created in 1984 to encourage an appreciation of the historical and architectural heritage of the Borough of Catasauqua Welcome!

HCPA traces its beginnings to 1983 when a small group of residents banded together to prepare applications for the establishment of two national historic districts in the Borough of Catasauqua (Lehigh County, Pennsylvania); the Biery's Port Historic District and the Mansion District. Since then, HCPA has worked to revive and maintain the towpath along the canal thru Catasauqua and has preserved Th

e Biery House at 8 Race St, its Summer Kitchen, and the Deily Coal Yard, Scale House and Mule Barn – all between Union and Race St along the Canal. They have secured 6 of the 7 State Historic Markers in the borough and created an art gallery and museum at their 8 Race St headquarters featuring the borough’s history and architecture. HCPA remains active as an organizer and volunteer in the community for events such as Fest O’Fall and the recent Old Home Week celebration. In addition, our members enact their passion for historic preservation through biennial home and garden tours that highlight Catasauqua's rich history. HCPA's webpages are hosted by the Borough of Catasauqua; where HCPA creates and maintains the History pages for the borough. Included are Block by Block Walking Tours in addition to links to history resources. You can visit them by appointment or by stopping by 8 Race St the first and third Sundays of each month from May through September. History

Located at the center of the Lehigh Valley, Catasauqua is one of the smallest, but most densely populated municipalities in the Valley. Now a quiet residential community, the borough once was home to the Crane Iron Works, the first commercially successful anthracite iron furnace. Its first blast in 1840 marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in America. The iron and allied industries brought much wealth to the town; such that by the early 1900s, Catasauqua had the highest concentration of millionaires per capita in the nation. Industry waned after WWI and commerce declined with the introduction of malls in neighboring Whitehall in the 1960s. With the purchase of the old Crane Iron site, the borough is targeting a development of the canal front and revitalization of downtown areas.

05/27/2026

We had the honor and pleasure of hosting the 3rd grade class from Sheckler at 8 Race today - they also got to visit the GTH. So much fun!

Ran across the name Casper Wistar on the map showing the early Craig Settlement. A little research led me to this story...
05/25/2026

Ran across the name Casper Wistar on the map showing the early Craig Settlement. A little research led me to this story of an early German entrepreneur in Philly. Interesting that his land investments included land here in the valley - which he likely resold to others immigrating here from the Palatinate.
https://www.immigrantentrepre
neurship.org/entries/caspar-wistar/

05/21/2026

Part 2 of the new "Henry Trifecta" is now available! Learn more about 47th Pennsylvania veteran Henry F. Miller, who was "the oldest member of a family of eleven children all of whom preceded him in death," according to his 1927 obituary in Allentown's Morning Call newspaper. At the time of his death, he was also "one of the oldest residents of South Side, Easton." https://47thpennsylvaniavolunteers.com/company-e/roster-company-e-47th-pennsylvania-volunteers/private-henry-miller-one-of-the-oldest-residents-of-eastons-south-side/

In 1871, the navy had a vessel named the Catasauqua.
05/09/2026

In 1871, the navy had a vessel named the Catasauqua.

05/03/2026

Address

8 Race Street
Catasauqua, PA
18032

Telephone

+16102310603

Website

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