Highways
In 1914 four public highways
laid within the confines of
Catasauqua.
One extended from the north
via the Hokendauqua dam, along
the banks of the Lehigh as far
south as Chapel Street, then
eastward crossing Front Street
on Chapel, and running along
in a direction toward the
chapel of the First
Presbyterian Church, Third and
Bridge Streets, and the
Howertown Road, near Peach
Street.
Another road extended from the
lower or Race Street bridge,
called Biery's bridge, in an
easterly direction. This is
still the old Bethlehem road.
The Howertown Road forked from
the Bethlehem Road at a point
near Biery's bridge and ran
almost due north along the
course still marking this
popular thoroughfare.
The fourth road was a short
connecting link from the mill
race across the county bridge
at the Davis and Thomas
foundry
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Streets
The opening and
grading of streets
began at the lower end
of the town, on land
owned by Frederick
Biery. Front Street
was laid out by the
Court of Quarter
Sessions during 1841.
For a long while it
was called "Cinder
Street" since it was
graded with furnace
slag. The work was
done in 1853 under the
direction of Elias
Mertz, surveyor.
During 1848, Second
Street, as far as
Church Street, was
laid out by the court.
After incorporation of
the Borough, Town
Council opened one
street after another
until seven numbered
streets and Howertown
Avenue afforded
passage north and
south, and ten named
streets cross the
former at variant
angles.
The break in the
course of certain
streets, e.g., Second
at Church Street and
Bridge at Third, was
caused by the location
of a building prior to
the laying out of the
street.
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Railroads of
Catasauqua
The "Black Diamond"
heading north under
Race Street Bridge.
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