Allentown's industrial development accelerated in the late 18th century. David Deshler, Allentown's first shopkeeper, opened a sawmill in the city in 1782. By 1814, industrial plants in Allentown included flour mills, sawmills, two saddle makers, a tannery and tan yard, a woolen mill, a card weaving plant, two gunsmiths, two tobacconists, two clockmakers, and two printers. In 1855, the first railroads to reach Allentown were opened, presenting the Lehigh Canal with direct competition for coal transport. Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad ordered four locomotives, and train stations were built in Allentown, Easton, and Mauch Chunk. In September 1855, the railroad became operational with the Central Railroad of New Jersey providing transport between Allentown and New York City. Transport between Allentown and Philadelphia was made available through Perkiomen Railroad, which operated between Norristown and Freemansburg.
allentown's industrial development accelerated in the late 18th century david deshler allentown's first shopkeeper opened a sawmill in the city in 1782 by 1814 industrial plants in allentown included flour mills sawmills two saddle makers a tannery and tan yard a woolen mill a card weaving plant two gunsmiths two tobacconists two clockmakers and two printers in 1855 the first railroads to reach allentown were opened presenting the lehigh canal with direct competition for coal transport lehigh and susquehanna railroad ordered four locomotives and train stations were built in allentown easton and mauch chunk in september 1855 the railroad became operational with the central railroad of new jersey providing transport between allentown and new york city transport between allentown and philadelphia was made available through perkiomen railroad which operated between norristown and freemansburg