Local Immigration

Richard D. Grifo.
A History of Italian Immigration to the Easton Area. Easton, Pa: Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, 1964.

Lehigh University Catalog Record: https://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/asa/Record/345654

Every American city has its own unique ethnic and national makeup determined by centuries of immigration and migration that have shaped the nation. The history of immigration to the Lehigh Valley stretches back to the 1741 Moravian settlement in Bethlehem, but this region had long been home to the indigenous Lenape peoples. Subsequent waves of immigrants have since reshaped the Lehigh Valley. For decades, this immigration was driven by local industries, including coal mining, canal and railroad transportation, iron and steel production, and textiles. Displayed is a history of Italian immigration to Easton and a 1976 issue of Bethlehem Steel’s employee newsletter. Over 60 years later, Easton still has a significant population with Italian heritage. To celebrate America’s bicentennial, Bethlehem Steel used its publication to highlight the story of longtime employee Sam (Manookian) Martin, an Armenian orphan who was adopted by an American woman and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1924 at age 14. While Martin’s story is unique, it is indicative of the influx of eastern European immigrants who settled in the Lehigh Valley for an opportunity to work for the company.

Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
Bethlehem Review Issue No. 152. Bethlehem, PA: Bethlehem Steel Corp., 1976.

Lehigh University Catalog Record: https://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/asa/Record/16770

This text has been digitized and is available through the Lehigh Preserve digital repository.