History 18th century The first settlers of the Lehigh Valley region were Germans, who emigrated from earlier settlements along Perkiomen Creek in present-day Lehigh and Montgomery counties. German settlers began arriving in present-day South Whitehall Township over a 20-year period beginning in about 1732. The immigration of the Germans and other European natives, including Swiss and Huguenots, was aided by William Penn and his friends. The land lying south of South Mountain was given to William Penn in 1713 by the Lenape Native American tribe. The land of Lehigh County between Blue Mountain and Lehigh Mountain was granted to Penn's sons by the Lenape in 1732. European emigrants were drawn to the area because of its reputation for fertile land and its limestone flanking rivers and streams, including present-day Jordan Creek.
history 18th century the first settlers of the lehigh valley region were germans who emigrated from earlier settlements along perkiomen creek in present-day lehigh and montgomery counties german settlers began arriving in present-day south whitehall township over a 20-year period beginning in about 1732 the immigration of the germans and other european natives including swiss and huguenots was aided by william penn and his friends the land lying south of south mountain was given to william penn in 1713 by the lenape native american tribe the land of lehigh county between blue mountain and lehigh mountain was granted to penn's sons by the lenape in 1732 european emigrants were drawn to the area because of its reputation for fertile land and its limestone flanking rivers and streams including present-day jordan creek