Shimersville, Pennsylvania

Shimersville is a former village in Northampton County, Pennsylvania that was the first inhabited settlement in what is now Lower Saucon Township. First settled around 1725 Matthew Riegle and Jacob Sheimer established settlement near the mouth of the Saucon Creek, which became the basis of Shimersville.

Shimersville
Former Village
Etymology: Shimers' Village
Shimersville is located in Pennsylvania
Shimersville
Shimersville
Shimersville is located in the United States
Shimersville
Shimersville
Coordinates: 40°37′02″N 75°20′04″W / 40.617222°N 75.334444°W / 40.617222; -75.334444
CountryUnited States
State Pennsylvania
County Northampton
First settled1725
Absorbed into Bethlehem1920
Founded byJacob Sheimer

History

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18th century

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In 1737, Nathaniel Irish created a grist mill in the settlement. In 1743, the Moravians of Bethlehem petitioned Bucks County to create a county road from Bethlehem to the growing settlement which was the site of a ferry across the Lehigh River. Throughout the 18th century several families moved near the mill along the creek.

19th century

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In 1801, Jacob Shimer, a descendant of Jacob Sheimer, erected a stone house near the mouth of the creek and the village bore his name. In 1812, he and other family members purchased the Irish grist mill and erected an oil mill to its south. The family established other businesses within the area, including a fulling mill. After Jacob's passing in 1837, his son George took over the family business, but moved them to Allentown by 1872.

By 1851, the village consisted of a general store, tavern, and a small cluster of family homes. The village maintained a limited incorporated government, operating a public school and raising taxes for its operation. Shimersville operated as the last stop to purchase supplies before entering South Bethlehem.

20th century

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In 1920, the village was declining and was purchased in full by Bethlehem Steel, then the second-largest steel manufacturer in the world, prior to the end of the decade to expand its Bethlehem Works facility, which along with Hottlesville, Altonah, and Macada, was annexed to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1][2][3][4]

References

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  1. ^ Grygiel, Phillips Preiss. "Preservation Plan for the City of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania" (PDF). bethlehem-pa.gov. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Shimersville Historic Area". Lower Saucon Township. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ Brenyo, Cathy. "Egle's 1876 Penna. History - Northampton County Part 1". pa-roots.org. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ Heller, William J. "History of Northampton County and the Great Valley of Lehigh" (PDF). seibelfamily.net. Retrieved 25 October 2023.