Laurys Station, Pennsylvania

"Laurys Station" redirects here. For the former train station, see Laurys station (Lehigh Valley Railroad).

Laurys Station, Pennsylvania
Census-designated place
[[File:Southbound PA 145 in Laurys Station|100x100px|border|Flag of Laurys Station, Pennsylvania]] Flag
Location of Laurys Station in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Laurys Station Location of Laurys Station in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Laurys Station Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 40°43′23″N75°31′49″W / 40.72306°N 75.53028°W / 40.72306; -75.53028
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Lehigh
Township	North Whitehall
Area [1]
•  Census-designated place	1.75 sq mi (4.54 km2)
• Land	1.64 sq mi (4.24 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2)
Elevation	377 ft (115 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
•  Census-designated place	1,170
• Density	715.16/sq mi (276.19/km2)
•  Metro	865,310 (US: 68th)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	18059
Area codes	610 and 484
FIPS code	42-41880
GNIS feature ID	1179038

Laurys Station (previously Slate Dam) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in North Whitehall Township in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Lehigh Valley, which had a population of 861,899 and was the 68th-most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. as of the 2020 census. It is located approximately 9 miles (14 km) north of Allentown and about 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Walnutport.

Laurys Station is located along Pennsylvania Route 145 along the Lehigh River. As of the 2020 census, Laurys Station's population was 1,170.

History

David Laury for whom Laurys Station is named

Laurys Station was initially known as "Slate Dam" after the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company built a large dam there in 1830. In 1832, David Laury established a hotel there, which became a popular resort during the summer months. Laury became the settlement's postmaster in 1853 and station agent when the Lehigh Valley Railroad opened a station there in 1855. ^[3] The Lehigh Valley Railroad's four-track mainline was located directly in the middle of the town, which was situated around present-day Mauser Street. It is unknown at what point in time the apostrophe was dropped from the village name, but Laury's Station eventually became Laurys Station.

Laurys Station, at one point in time, had its own amusement park on an island in the river. Founded by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company in 1891 and known as Laury's Island, it included attractions such as steamboat rides, a merry-go-round, and a large dancing pavilion. ^[4] It was frequently used by social and church groups in the area for gatherings and local family reunions. The Allentown Band held regular concerts there. ^[5] A massive flood in February 1902 caused severe damage to the park; although repairs were made and operations continued for a few more years, the park was closed and dismantled in 1906. ^[6]

Geography

Laurys Station is located in northeastern Lehigh County in the northeastern part of North Whitehall Township. It sits within a bend of the Lehigh River, which borders the community to the west, north, and east. Across the river are Lehigh Township to the north and west, and Allen Township to the east.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Laurys Station has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), of which 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²), or 6.77%, are water. ^[7] Via the Lehigh River, the community is part of the Delaware River watershed.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2000	1,343		—
2010	1,243		−7.4%
2020	1,170		−5.9%
[2]

Education

Further information: Parkland School District

Laurys Station is part of the Parkland School District. Students in grades nine through 12 attend Parkland High School.

Notes

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
2. "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
3. Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Rev. John Baer Stoudt; Rev. Thomas H. Krick; William J. Dietrich (1914). History of Lehigh County Pennsylvania and a Genealogical and Biographical Records of its Families. Vol. 1. Lehigh Valley Publishing Company. p. 864.
4. Klotz, Laura. Laury's Island: The Lehigh Valley's Forgotten Park. Lulu Press, November 2020.
5. Pany, Ed. "Laurys Park featured music, rides, fun for all." Lehigh Valley Press, 10 February 2016.
6. Author unknown. "Laury's Island to be abandoned." Allentown, Pennsylvania Democrat, 28 March 1906.
7. "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Laurys Station CDP, Pennsylvania". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 27, 2020.

References

• Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Rev. John Baer Stoudt; Rev. Thomas H. Krick; William J. Dietrich (1914). History of Lehigh County Pennsylvania and a Genealogical and Biographical Records of its Families. Vol. 1. Lehigh Valley Publishing Company.