The photograph shown above is from 1958. It was taken in Little Lehigh Manor, the 1940's era housing development located above Lehigh Parkway's south ridge. I had the pleasure of growing up in that neighborhood. Our sledding hill of choice was above the Log and Stone House.
Other popular sledding hills were in Allentown's west end, behind Cedar Crest College, and Ott Street, between Livingston and Greenleaf Streets. Years ago, a bridge crossed the creek by the park office at 30th and Parkway Blvd., with a parking area for sledders by the Cedar Crest hill. The Ott Street hill was closed to cars by the city, as an accommodation for sledders. None of these hills are now accessible to a kid with a sled.
photo courtesy of S. Williams
reprinted from previous years
ADDENDUM THANKSGIVING 2021: Allentown is sledding into a new era, with a new mayor set for January. The Allentown of my youth, in the 1950's, is melting away. This blog, printed every weekday, is a chronicle of the past and a commentary on the present. My other project, Facebook group Allentown Chronicles, provides a venue for more participants.
My neighborhood sledding spot was on 23rd and Liberty street next to the former Campus Shop. It was also closed off to traffic for our safety.
ReplyDeleteThe city would block off Greenleaf street so we could go down 9th St all the way to Sumner Ave
ReplyDelete