This is the second of two articles referencing how the decline of many rural towns was driving people out of Pennsylvania, and how a few places have been fortunate and forward-thinking to recreate themselves and attract new residents to start a life there, or as a landing spot for retirement.

From Industrial Roots to Reinvention

Founded in 1742, Hellertown became a burgeoning industrial center, with coal yards being built in 1848, followed by the Lower Saucon Ironworks in 1849. In 1856, the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad was built, which ran through Hellertown, and a railroad station was centered there. Then in the early 20th century, historic Bethlehem Steel exploded into a huge steel conglomerate. Bethlehem Steel’s coke works, which was crucial for steel production, was located very near Hellertown, and many of Hellertown’s residents worked there and earned a very good living. It was very common for multiple generations of families to work there. You graduated from high school and just went and worked at “The Steel.”

The Impact of Bethlehem Steel’s Closure

Bethlehem Steel began falling on hard times during the 1970s and closed for good in 1995. Once Bethlehem Steel collapsed, it took a while for Hellertown, as well as neighboring Bethlehem, to recover from the huge job losses. Hellertown eventually began pivoting and focusing on growing its downtown and wonderful parks and trail system.

A Revitalized Downtown and Attractions

There is now an incredible array of restaurants and bars in downtown Hellertown, including the Braveheart Highland Pub (the finest Scottish food around), Nick & Noah’s, La Kang Thai Noodles Bar, Limon (excellent Turkish food), La Taqueria, Lost Tavern Brewing, La Maya (a new restaurant with a great atmosphere and vibe and a really unique menu), Beer Mussels Bar & Grill, and of course the historic Crossroads Hotel. Hellertown is also famous for its Lost River Caverns, a gorgeous natural limestone cavern with an underground river that flows through it. Lost River Caverns has been open to the public since 1930.

A Growing Destination for Retirees

Hellertown is also becoming a destination spot for retirees. It has a very affordable cost of living, and home prices are right at the national level. Over 21% of Hellertown’s residents are now retirees. Recreation is very important to retirees, and Hellertown has three wonderful parks (Dimmick Park, Grist Mill Park, and Water Street Park) and the scenic 7.5-mile multi-use Saucon Valley Trail. The fact that the large cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton are only a few miles away gives residents tons of options for entertainment.

Planning Your Move to Hellertown or Beyond

If you are considering relocating to Hellertown or making a move out of Pennsylvania, having the right moving company makes all the difference. At O’Brien’s Moving & Storage, we provide dependable residential moving services for local, long-distance, and interstate moves.

Whether you are moving for retirement, a lifestyle change, or a new opportunity, our experienced team is here to make your move smooth, efficient, and stress-free from start to finish.