Easton was founded by Thomas Penn, son of William Penn in 1752, as the Northampton County seat, but had been known earlier by Native Americans as "Lechawitauk-the Place at the Forks." Easton's location at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers shaped the city's destiny.
During the early nineteenth century, Easton emerged as an industrial center because of its location near the rivers, Morris canals, and later in the century, five major railroads. The city became home to wire mills, silk mills, foundries, and many other types of manufacturing. In 1832, Easton was elevated to a cultural center with the founding of Lafayette College by its citizens. By the 1860's, Easton was the largest city in the Lehigh Valley and later became its major retail center.
Easton's Great Square (now known as Centre Square) was, and remains a gathering place for residents and travelers. On July 8, 1776, it was the site for one of only three readings of the Declaration of Independence. This event is commemorated by the town annually with a Heritage Day celebration. |
