Shimersville, Pennsylvania

Last updated
Shimersville
Former Village
Etymology: Shimers' Village
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Shimersville
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Shimersville
Coordinates: 40°37′02″N75°20′04″W / 40.617222°N 75.334444°W / 40.617222; -75.334444
CountryUnited States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg  Pennsylvania
County Northampton County, Pennsylvania.gif Northampton
First settled1725
Absorbed into Bethlehem 1920
Founded byJacob Sheimer

Shimersville is a former village in Northampton County, Pennsylvania that was the first inhabited settlement in what is now Lower Saucon Township. First settled around 1725 Matthew Riegle and Jacob Sheimer established settlement near the mouth of the Saucon Creek which became the basis of Shimersville. In 1737 Nathaniel Irish created a grist mill in the settlement in 1743 the Moravians of Bethlehem petitioned Bucks County to create a county road from Bethlehem to the growing settlement which was the site of a ferry across the Lehigh River. Throughout the 18th century several families moved near the mill along the creek. In 1801 Jacob Shimer, a descendant of Jacob Sheimer, erected a stone house near the mouth of the creek and the village bore his name. In 1812, he and other family members purchased the Irish grist mill and erected an oil mill to its south. The family established other businesses within the area, including a fulling mill. After Jacob's passing in 1837, his son George took over the family business, but moved them to Allentown by 1872. By 1851 the village consisted of a general store, tavern, and a small cluster of family homes. The village maintained a limited incorporated government, operating a public school and raising taxes for its operation. Shimersville operated as the last stop to purchase supplies before entering South Bethlehem. By 1920 the village started to enter decline and it was purchased in full by Bethlehem Steel before the end of the decade to expand the Bethlehem Works and being annexed to the city of Bethlehem alongside the villages of Hottlesville, Altonah, and Macada. [1] [2] [3] [4]

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References

  1. Grygiel, Phillips Preiss. "Preservation Plan for the City of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania" (PDF). bethlehem-pa.gov. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  2. "Shimersville Historic Area". Lower Saucon Township . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. Brenyo, Cathy. "Egle's 1876 Penna. History - Northampton County Part 1". pa-roots.org. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. Heller, William J. "History of Northampton County and the Great Valley of Lehigh" (PDF). seibelfamily.net. Retrieved 25 October 2023.