(Thanks to Dr. Elinor Warner for the use of her "Walking Tour" material.)

From the Circle
(the intersection of 3rd Street and Northampton Street, downtown Easton),
walk a half-block north on 3rd Street.

Begin on North Third Street at the First United Church of Christ. One of the oldest standing buildings in the Lehigh Valley, this church is noted for its Tiffany-style stained glass windows. The stone portion of the church was built in 1776 by Philip Mixell on land donated to the German Reformed congregation by the heirs of William Penn. The brick tower and vestibule, added in 1832, was designed by architect Thomas U. Walter, architect of the U.S. Capitol. The church served as a military hospital during the Revolutionary War, and was the site of the Indian Treaty Conferences of January, 1777. Walk to the back of the church to see a Star of David constructed in commemoration of Meyer Hart, a Jewish citizen of Easton who contributed a keg of valuable and very scarce nails for the building’s construction. Also behind the church is Easton’s first school house, built in 1778, which is now used for the church’s offices.

If you’re looking for a rare book, a great cup of cappuccino, or a friendly chess game, stop in at The Quadrant, directly across the street from the First U.C.C. 

Continue north on Third Street. Due to its proximity to major waterways, between 1820 and 1860 Easton was the busiest and wealthiest town in the area. Constructed mainly in the mid-nineteenth century, this block, formerly known as "Millionaire’s Row," housed some of Easton’s richest citizens. Although now sub-divided into businesses and apartments, most of the homes on North Third Street once contained formal parlors, grand ballrooms, and regal libraries. This opulence can still be seen in the quality materials, fine workmanship, and exterior detail of the townhouses.

Turn right onto Spring Garden Street. On your right at 244 Spring Garden Street is the Ludlow Estate, built in 1790 and expanded in 1845. Dr. Ludlow was a prominent surgeon who attended General Grant after the Battle of Vicksburg. An innovator in amputation techniques, Ludlow was also known as the author of the classic text, "How to Care for Horses Without Shoes."

Next door, at 232 Spring Garden Street, is the Trinity Episcopal Church, originally the home of Samuel Sitgreaves, an Easton congressman, diplomat, and civic leader. The Episcopal congregation was formed in 1798, but services were sporadic until Sitgreaves offered his home as a permanent meeting place. Ultimately, Sitgreaves also donated his carriage yard and orchard as land for the original church, the cornerstone of which was erected in 1820. The congregation soon outgrew this structure, which was torn down and replaced in 1871. That church burned to the ground two years later. On Holy Thursday of 1875, the third and present Trinity Church was consecrated. This Gothic Revival church was designed by William Haight; the large rose and Tiffany-type forward windows were fashioned by Nicholas D’Ascenzo of Philadelphia. Sitgreaves is among those resting in the small adjacent cemetery. However, because the tombstones had to be moved when the church was expanded, no one is really sure where any of this graveyard’s inhabitants are buried.

Cross the street to reach 231 Spring Garden. When he became President of Easton Bank in 1832, Colonel Thomas McKean built this substantial house for his wife on a portion of the gardens once owned by Sitgreaves. The exterior still appears as restrained and dignified as it did when first built; the balanced windows and dormers, the shutters, and the central entrance hall echo the features of other Federal-style residences of this period. In 1885 the second owner, Dr. Lachenour, built the side addition at 229 Spring Garden for his medical practice. At that time he also remodeled the first floor in Victorian fashion, retaining the old library doors and magnificent Greek Revival marble mantles. Those mantles remained in the house until the 1980s, when all but one in an upstairs bedroom were sold.
This evolution of styles created unique features, including the two sets of 25 over 25 pane windows (all others in the house are traditional six over six pane). Evidence of the current owners’ restoration can be seen throughout the first floor, where original moldings and millwork are being replicated and closed-up and forgotten doorways are being recreated and rebuilt. The rear carriage house, which may predate the main quarters, has recently been restored into a residence.
Like many other fine downtown homes, this building’s residential use eventually gave way to the surrounding commercial district. In the 1950s, the house was sold to the Williams brothers, owners of the Hotel Easton. By the 1970s Ormsby’s, a restaurant, was located here. Eventually, the house and original gardens will be totally restored.

Farther along, at 214 Spring Garden, note the Howard Riegel Mansion. This building was designed by William Michler in 1902. This Federal Revival house is noted for the use of Mercer Tiles from the Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown on the porch floors and around the interior fireplaces. The stained-glass windows are vintage Tiffany-studio. Another distinguishing exterior feature is the garden’s brick wall, which is set with a wrought-iron gate. The Salvation Army purchased this building in June, 1959.

Further down the block you’ll find the Spring Garden Street Gallery (208), another example of Federal-style architecture. This building was erected in 1812 and expanded in both 1817 and 1820. All of the built-in shutters, windows, hinges, doorknobs, and most of the glass are original features. The porch seats, also original, extended across to the other side of the building until a fire destroyed the other half. Turn right onto North Second Street at the Bixler/Laubach home, 204 Spring Garden. This turn-of-the-century stone Victorian Romanesque residence has many beautiful and unusual windows, including a stained-glass bay window on the west side.
While the Moravians at Bethlehem and Nazareth were building their towns, Thomas Penn made plans to found a county seat at the Forks of the Delaware. He ordained that the town, founded in 1752, be called Easton and the county Northampton after Easton-Neston, Northamptonshire, England, his wife’s hometown. Easton was a planned community, one of several that were plotted in Pennsylvania during this period. William Parsons, assisted by Nicholas Scull, used a grid pattern for the streets surrounding the "Great Square" now known as Center Square, resulting in the regularity of downtown Easton’s layout which you are now experiencing.
The Benjamin Riegel Mansion (44 North Second Street) was built in the Jacobson Revival Style, an English style of architecture. Built in 1902 by famous architect Sanford White, the exterior is noted for its Flemish bond brickwork. The house was built for the son of the founder of Riegelsville and the President of the Riegel Paper Company. It is currently the headquarters of Lou Reda, Inc., a documentary production company whose work appears primarily on A & E.

Across the street is the Wolf School building, named for Eastonian George Wolf, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1829-1835.
Wolf’s primary achievement was the fact that he signed legislation to bring free public schooling to Pennsylvania; the archway, constructed utilizing pennies donated by schoolchildren, commemorates this accomplishment. This, Easton’s first high school, was constructed in 1893. Stained glass windows, elaborate brickwork, and a bell tower are facets of the building’s marvelous architecture. The Wolf School currently houses many of Northampton County’s offices.

Library Hall, 32 North Second Street, was Easton’s first library. Under the leadership of Samuel Sitgreaves, a Library Company was founded in 1811. In 1814 they purchased a small building at this site, and a new Federal style library was erected over and around the existing structure, incorporating the old brick walls into the new interior walls. Originally a private library, in 1864 the Easton School Board took over and created a public facility. When the new library was built 40 years later Library Hall became the school district’s administrative offices. It is now the Archive Shop.

The Jacob Bachmann Tavern sits at the northeast corner of Second and Northampton Streets. Dating to 1753, it is one of the oldest buildings in Easton and the only surviving tavern. The restoration of the Bachmann Tavern has been an ongoing project of the Easton Heritage Alliance; proceeds of the annual House Tour support the Alliance in its quest for grants and state moneys to preserve this important part of Easton’s history. We are pleased to announce that restoration of the facade is nearly complete; however, interior improvements must be made for the structure to be fully functional.

After viewing the Tavern, turn right onto Northampton Street and head west toward Center Square. 

You will pass Connexions Gallery, enroute to the Circle.

The Circle (which all Eastonians know is, of course, Center Square) plays a salient role in Easton’s history. Here, between 1756 and 1761, Indian treaty councils led to the British conquest of the Ohio Valley and ultimately to England’s victory in the French and Indian War. Here, in 1765, the first Northampton County Courthouse was constructed, and on its steps Robert Levers performed the third reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Here, in 1791, a farmer’s market that exists to this day was established by ordinance.
The 75-foot tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated in 1900 as a tribute to all Union militia. Accordingly, the bugler faces west, toward the sunset. In 1951, the City of Easton first erected the Peace Candle. This Candle and its lighting on the night before Thanksgiving has become an annual tradition; in 1990 the original candle was replaced by a new structure, "The Tallest Peace Candle in the World." The southwestern quadrant of the Square houses the newly renovated Alpha building, the tallest building in Easton and the soon-to-be-home of City Hall. This quadrant also features Two Rivers Landing, home of the Canal Museum and the Crayon Factory. The famous Crayola Store is right next-door.

While in the Circle, stop in at Pearly Baker’s, on the southeast corner, for a refreshing drink or meal!

Adjacent to Two Rivers Landing is the Easton National Bank Building, home of the newly renovated Bank Street Annex.

While exploring the Art Deco exterior of the bank, built in 1929, notice the bronze sculpted inlays on the poured cement exterior. Stop by the Purple Cow Creamery for a refreshing scoop of ice-cream!

The Northampton National Bank building (the National) occupies the southwest corner of Fourth and Northampton Streets. This seven-story, steel-framed beaux-arts building was erected in 1890, improved in 1920. The decorative carved design on the first story’s granite facing was inspired by ancient Roman architecture.

Proceeding west on Northampton Street, you’ll encounter Easton’s recently renovated State Theater Center for the Arts.
The last of Easton’s grand vaudeville theaters, the State Theater and Center for the Arts was saved from demolition in 1981. Originally built in 1873 as Northampton National Bank, this beaux-arts building was converted into the Newmoyer Theater in 1910. The sturdy facade is of Vermont granite. In 1926 the Theater was redesigned by William Lee, a major American theater designer, and was remodeled into the grand entertainment center you see before you. The staff of the State Theater will take you on an informational tour of the facility.

Turn left onto South Sixth Street, at the Mount Vernon Ale House, to reach the Weyerbacher Brewery at 20 South Sixth Street, located in the former Hotel Mount Vernon livery stables. Constructed in 1888, at one time over 100 horses as well as carriages were housed here at any given time. For the past 60 years this was used as a storage facility. Mark Camden purchased the building to headquarter his woodworking business, and he meticulously restored and rebuilt all the exterior doors and windows piece by piece, keeping them true to style.

Weyerbacher Brewery, producer of full-flavored micro-brewed British ales, was founded in the summer of 1995. Weyerbacher uses British malts and whole leaf hops to produce its fine quality ales. Each batch is made by hand, fermented and then either bottled or kegged right at this facility. Demand for its product has been very strong. Although they had originally planned to locate anywhere in the Lehigh Valley, after visiting Easton the owners decided to become a part of the downtown’s Renaissance.

A short walk further up Sixth Street will lead you to the Brith Shalom Synagogue, built by a small congregation of German Jews in 1842. In 1907 the congregation accepted its first Russian members and at the same time significantly rebuilt the synagogue, constructing a Moorish-style facade, expanding the rear of the building, and remodeling the interior. Because it has been vacant throughout the 1990s, Brith Shalom has steadily deteriorated through neglect. Sadly, this central artifact of the city’s Judeo-American heritage has been designated one of Pennsylvania’s 15 most endangered buildings.

As you gaze out Sixth Street towards the Lehigh River you see rows of townhouses old and new. Once this land was pasture. Now dotted with cars, both sides of Ferry Street were once lined with women milking cows, trading news and gossip, lending the vitality and richness to city life that characterizes Easton to this day.

Retracing your steps back 6th Street, cross Northampton and proceed north to 6th and Church Street, where you can visit Easton’s Public Library, and see the Zion Lutheran Church. Founded in 1852, the building is presently the home of the Rock Church. Rumor has it that when the Lutheran congregation renovated the church, the finest German craftsman was retained to build the new steeple. Specifications were then sent to Germany. However, this artisan mistook the American dimensions, given in feet, for European measurements, calculated in meters. The resulting steeple is one of downtown Easton’s most protruding landmarks.

A right turn to 5th Street, then a left to Northampton will begin your return walk to the Circle.

We hope you enjoyed downtown Easton! Come again soon!

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