In the 1870s, the Allen House Hotel on the northeast corner of Center Square was the place to stay in Allentown. It was owned by Robert D. Kramer, catering to businessmen and travelers with accommodations second, without exception to none. The hotel was torn down in the 1880s and replaced by the Hotel Allen, which stood until 1947.

To the left is the Allentown National Bank. The building began life as the Northampton Bank in 1814 and closed in 1843 after its funds were embezzled by its bank president, John Rice. In 1855, the bank was re-chartered as the Allentown Bank, being renamed as the Allentown National Bank in 1865. It was torn down and replaced by a seven-story building in 1905. In 1955, the Allentown National Bank merged with the Second National Bank, becoming the First National Bank of Allentown. The existing building on the northeast corner of Center Square was purchased and torn down, a new First National Bank Building opening in its place in 1958.