While Allentown was not as big as Bethlehem , the city right next to it , the iron industry in the area still gave many jobs to the city . While Allentown was not as large as neighboring Bethlehem at the time , the local iron industry â '' which included the Allentown Iron Company ( established 1846 ) and the Allentown Rolling Mills ( established 1860 ) â '' employed the majority of Allentown 's workforce .