Before City Center

September 6th, 2011 |

“Before the City Center complex in Bethlehem was built, what was there?”  That’s a frequent question (one I have asked myself in the past year) raised during our many tours around Bethlehem.  Up until today we only speculated that the area between the intersections of Church and New Streets and West Lehigh/Center and New Streets was filled with residences.

This photo dated 1883 surfaced last week showing the north end of the New Street Bridge.  The image shows the canal (covered in ice and snow) and what looks to be modern-day West Lehigh Street and Center Street.  Based on the direction the houses are facing, the photo reminds us that New Street originally ran directly to the bridge, not ending at Church Street but intersecting West Lehigh and Center Streets.  In other words, the City Center area would have been bisected by New Street.

Another interesting note is the stairs that appear  to be at the north end of the bridge, possibly for easy access  to and from the canal and for pedestrians, much like today.

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