Residential and Commercial Roofing Contractor in Whitehall, PA

Located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh County, Whitehall Township’s history doesn’t start with its creation in 1867, but stretches back many years before. In 1681, William Penn received his famous charter from King Charles II. After his passing, control of the region moved to his sons, who later obtained a land deed from the Lenape tribe in 1736. Soon after, the first German settlers, including Jacob Kohler in 1728, arrived, clearing land for farms and forming the villages that would shape the area.

The relationship with the Lenape was initially peaceful, but that changed due to a dishonest land agreement.
The infamous “Walking Purchase” of 1737 used a professional runner to greatly expand the European claim, pushing the tribe’s borders far north. This unfair deal led to growing tensions, resulting in a violent uprising in 1763, where Fort Deshler played a crucial role in defending the settlers.

The 19th century marked a time of industrial growth.
The completion of the Lehigh Canal in 1829 was a major turning point, followed by the discovery of iron ore and the development of railroads. This industrial expansion attracted immigrants from Wales and Ireland. Further growth came from an unexpected source: the rich deposits of Jacksonburg limestone found during railroad construction. This led to a cement boom, led by David O. Saylor, which brought in a new wave of immigrants from Austria-Hungary and made the region a national leader in cement production.

By 1900, Whitehall had developed into a first-rate township.
The post-WWII years saw a shift from manufacturing to retail, transforming it into the suburban community it is today. The individual villages were officially combined under the single “Whitehall” postal identity in 1968. A major step in modernization came in 1974 with the adoption of a Home Rule Charter, establishing the mayoral-council government that now oversees a municipal budget exceeding $21 million.