Although formally established in 1887, Easton has a history dating back to 1736. Thomas Penn, the son of William Penn, surveyed a tract of land at the convergence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Later in the 1750s, further surveyance was done to establish a town at “the Place of the Forks.” This town was to be called Easton after Thomas Penn’s wife’s home estate of Easton-Neston, Northamptonshire, England.

Decades later, the Easton area began to explode in economic prosperity, mostly ushered in by the construction of the Lehigh Canal in 1829. This canal made Easton a central hub for industrial development. “Coal money” brought a significant amount of investment capital to the area, and very soon multiple industries began to crop up.

Today, Easton remains a main player in commerce. The introduction of the railroad exploded economic growth here, and while old companies have since moved or become disbanded, newer, and modern industries have taken over in their place. Alongside this modernity, countless historical buildings remain and operate within the town. In this blog, we’ll cover a few of the most notable.

Historical Places That Remain Standing Today

The beauty of eastern Pennsylvania towns and cities is that rich history is found everywhere. Easton is no exception. There are a variety of beautiful and memorable buildings and locations spread throughout the town. In many ways it’s a goldmine for history buffs and signifies Easton’s importance in the development of modern America.

A few of the most notable structures include:

  1. Bachmann Tavern: Bachmann Tavern is the oldest structure remain in Easton, and surprisingly, 70% of the original building is still intact. It functioned as a social center for early colonists and was visited by figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Until 1765, it functioned as Easton’s courthouse.
  2. The Great Square: Easton was originally designed in a grid formation extended out from the central square. The Great Square has remained as a central meeting point of the town, and it was one of three locations where the Declaration of Independence was read back in 1776. Heritage Day is celebrated here annually, and the oldest, continuously operating Farmer’s Market has taken place here since 1791.
  3. State Theater: As industrial as Easton once was, it still had a rich arts scene that can be felt today. The theater was originally built in 1873 as Northampton National Bank but was transitioned into a silent film and vaudeville act theater in 1910. It’s still standing but remains closed.

Need an Easton Moving Company to Help You Relocate?

Easton once was and will continue to remain a highly sought-after destination for families looking to start a new life. The rich history of the area can be felt around every side street, and the constantly expanding economy of the Lehigh Valley makes it a perfect place for those seeking a career change or to grow their current one.

If you’re interested in moving to this area, you’ll need help from high-quality and local Easton movers. O’Brien’s Moving and Storage is the trusted team that you can count on. We’ve been assisting with Lehigh Valley moves since 1947 and have an extensive range of different services. They include:

Hire the best movers in Easton PA today and contact O’Brien’s Moving and Storage for a free quote.