For this street name survey, we’ll be starting at the Minsi Trail Bridge and traveling east into Bethlehem Township. Grab a map and drive along!

Minsi Trail Street

The Minsi Trail was a historic route used by the Lenni Lenape. Part of this trail cut through Gen. William E. Doster’s Minsi Trail Farm east of Bethlehem, hence the name. When a new bridge was started in 1914, Doster suggested calling it the Minsi Trail Bridge and allowed it to cut through his property. The bridge began to the north of East Market Street on a hill above the farmhouse, and ended up at Daly Avenue to the south.

Stefko Boulevard

Once called Newton Avenue, in 1954 city council changed the name to recognize pioneer realtor and developer John F. Stefko’s contributions in developing the city. Stefko built more than 1,600 homes in Bethlehem. He and his son Edward ran Stefko Realty Corps. Other streets in Bethlehem named for members of the Stefko family: Elayne Street after Edward’s wife, Geraldine Street for Edwards’s sister, Jill Street after Edward’s daughter, and Irene Street, who was Edward’s cousin.

Pembroke Road

This name was taken from the Pembroke Farm, east of the city. The farm was on high ground with gentle slopes and great views. In 1918 the Bethlehem Steel Corp. purchased the property from Gen. W.E. Doster in order to house steelworkers needed for World War I. In charge was the U.S. Housing Corporation, who underestimated the number of homes needed and gave up on the project. John F. Stefko finished development of this area (neighborhoods west of today’s Pembroke Village) after the war.

Fritz Drive

Named for one of America’s greatest captains of industry, John Fritz (1822-1913). A pioneer in the fields of iron and steelmaking, Fritz became general superintendent and chief engineer of the Bethlehem Iron Works in1860. While there he was among the first to introduce the Bessemer process of steelmaking into the United States.

Freemansburg Avenue

Freemansburg was not named for its first settler, as usually is the case, since it was Peter Bachman who first built a tavern there in 1760. The Freeman family arrived soon after and it was through descendant Jacob Freeman’s ardent promotion of the town that it was incorporated as the borough of Freemansburg in 1856.

Willow Park Road

This area of Bethlehem Township near Butztown was once home to the popular Willow Park, operated by Shelbo and Sons from 1931-1969. The park included a one-million gallon pool, a variety of amusement park rides, as well as dance and picnic pavilions.

Butztown Road

In the 1790s, farmer George Butz settled in this area along Nancy Run and ran a grist mill, store and tavern. Soon a group of dwellings sprung up and the area became known as Butztown. Nancy Run was named after an old fortune teller woman who lived in a small log cabin a half mile up from the creek.

Hecktown Road

The road leading to Hecktown. A union church built around 1760 was the origin of this village. It is said it received its name after a comment a Moravian preacher made after seeing the poor, filthy and overcrowded cabins: “Aber sie koennen gut hecken” – at least they breed well!

Farmersville Road

This area received its name because farming was the principle occupation of its residents. It had a dozen houses, a school and a church. On one old map from 1830 it was called Lawalts, a family name.

Oakland Road

This road was once home to Oakland Park, a well-known trolley park that opened in 1899. It was situated near Farmersville on the trolley line between Bethlehem and Easton. The park was the perfect spot to hold a picnic or family reunion. It contained a number of amenities including woodland walks, refreshment stands, a covered pavilion, and an outdoor stage for vaudeville performances. Park Road is a similarly named side street.

Emrick Boulevard

This road running parallel and west of Route 33 was named for lifelong Bethlehem Township farmer Peter Emrick (1932-1997), who fought state and county officials for years to prevent Route 33 from running through his 800-acres of farmland.

Green Pond Road

The original name for Green Pond was Dry Lands Pond. When German settlers began to appear in the 1730s, the area between Bethlehem and Nazareth was known as the Dry Lands as it had few surface streams. The land was scarcely populated and regarded as barren and fearful.

Please share your comments by writing to me at bethlehemhistory@gmail.com.