Local History

Bethlehem Area Public Library is a great place to learn more about the rich and diverse history of our city, region and people. BAPL’s Local History pages provide convenient online access to historical content from a variety of sources.

» Local History Timeline  — Bethlehem’s history from 1741-present.

» Local Historical Newspaper Archives (including obituaries)

» WWII Article Index — Includes local news article extracts pertaining to WWII personnel from the pages of the Bethlehem Globe-Times.

» First Annual Message of Archibald Johnston — Text of the Mayor’s speech, delivered in 1918

» House Research Guide — Prepared by Bethlehem’s North by Northwest Neighborhood Initiative, this general guide is a how-to on researching the hands of a home’s ownership, with some helpful tips and informative websites.

» Express-Times Archives 

» Morning Call Archives

» Black Bethlehem Project — This oral history collection was spearheaded by M. Rayah Levy of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, with support from collaborators Sholomo Levy and Matthew Rothfuss. The collection focuses on the Black experience in Bethlehem, PA, from the mid-twentieth-century to the present

» Interested in the history of Bethlehem’s churches and religious communities? Check out the book: A journey of faith : brief histories of Bethlehem’s religious communities.

These are large-scale, high-resolution .jpg files:

1873 Map of Bethlehem

1886 Map of Bethlehem

1929 Map of Bethlehem 

» “Bethlehem Steel” / “Bethlehem Booster” — Bethlehem Steel Company’s Bureau of Labor and Safety published a semi-monthly employee news magazine “devoted to the interest and general health and welfare of all employees.” It was title Bethlehem Steel for the first four issues before changing to Bethlehem Booster.

» Issue One (BETHLEHEM STEEL, VOL 1, MAY 1, 1918, NO 1)

» Issue Two (BETHLEHEM STEEL, VOL 1, MAY 15, 1918, NO 2)

» Men of Bethlehem — 1918 Fred Shankweiler publication offers a look at “men prominent in the commercial professional, political and social activity of Bethlehem.” [PDF 2.3 MB]

» Semi-Centennial The Borough of South Bethlehem — This “souvenir history” was issued for South Bethlehem’s October 3-5, 1915 semi-centennial celebration. [PDF 222 pages]

» South Bethlehem Business College Catalog— This catalog for prospective students detailing “scope of the work, the methods, and the facilities of the College”, as well as fees. [PDF 558 KB]

A selection of articles about BAPL through the years:

“Public Library Project.” The Bethlehem Times – December 28, 1900.

“Free Library Was Opened to the Public Yesterday Afternoon.” The Bethlehem Globe – February 1, 1901.

“Splendid Gift from Bethlehem Steel Co…” The Bethlehem Times – August 8, 1925.

“Library an Asset.” The Bethlehem Globe-Times. January 30, 1932.

“Library Urges Books To Replace Summer Travel.” The Bethlehem Globe-Times. June 1943.

“Library Encouraging Children’s Reading Through Novel Vacation Clubs, Awards.” The Morning Call. July 1953.

“Record Players For Library Donated By Friends Of Music.” The Bethlehem Globe-Times – May 5, 1960.

“Features Of New Library Make It Leader Of Design” The Bethlehem Globe-Times. July 15, 1967.

“Each One Teach One: Library Starts Literacy Tutoring Program” The Bethlehem Globe-Times – September 13, 1977.

“Children Design and Make Quilt for Library” – The Bethlehem Globe-Times. October 17, 1978.

“These Librarians are a Public Resource.” The Morning Call. December 22, 1991.

BAPL as a Fallout Shelter, BAPL.org, Feb 8, 2019.

Pennsylvania State Fair poster (1891, held in Bethlehem) [102 MB]

Scans of historical postcards (Bethlehem, early 20th century):

• Postcard 1
  • This image is of a trolley car at the 4th Ave. Hotel, located at 345 W. Broad St., West Bethlehem, PA. This hotel was located at the corner of Broad St. and 4th Avenue. It was last listed as a hotel in the 1911 Bethlehem city director. In the 1917 directory it had become a saloon. Year Unknown.
• Postcard 2
  • This image is from the Beckel personal collection. It is a view of 3rd St. looking east. The decorations are believed to be part of the semi-centennial celebration.