exploring courtesy of the wpa

This morning we did an early walk in downtown Allentown. The last time we did it there was a huge hole in Hamilton street. Now there is a brand spanking new arena, square and almost a city block. But someone still tried to hit us up for money. I've never seen homeless people in suits before.

Today is was Megan, Lydia, Bonnie and I. The wee one stayed home with daddy. I could get used to this.

We parked near the Parkettes gym and headed towards south Fourth street passing a statue of MLK and his wife. How long has that been there? I go past there frequently and never noticed the zig- zagged sidewalk, stairs or statue.

We headed up Fourth past Trout Hall and the prison then went out Linden to Fifth. We stopped at the Art Park to look at Rise Up Allentown, and went thru the park to Sixth. Up Sixth past what's left of the Americus Hotel, and out Hamilton to the square. There is a Tom Horton's there that kind-of, sort-of looked open and a bagel shop that wasn't. It's Sunday morning and the bagel shop is closed? I guess they depend on the courthouse / office traffic to make their money. Neither are open Sunday's.

We went out Hamilton to Twelfth, and crossed at the Public Library and headed down the hill to Union. We went down the hill to where I had my accident. And there is a tunnel in the WPA wall. I noticed it when I was waiting for the cops that day.

 You can see the tunnel and some of the stairs in this Google Pedometer image.

This is not the stairs from MLK Blvd. The one's that are in need of  repair. These are above those, on Union. In the retaining wall (c. 1937) there is a tunnel. In the tunnel there are stairs. After one flight they Y. The right side is barricaded with railroad ties. They look like they might lead to yards.

The ones on the left go up and up and up.  Damn, I wish I had my camera. They end in an alley going up to Spring Garden Street, near Eleventh. Nobody wanted to explore but me. So I went alone. They waited for me which was nice. I guess I should have given them the car keys.

Boonie must have been getting worried when I didn't come out so she started yelling for me. I yelled back. I'm sure the people in the row houses appreciated it at 9 am on a Sunday.  I was almost at the top and had to find out where they lead to so I was not turning around. What the WPA givith, Gayle explores.

When I came down we headed back on the Fountain Park trail to the Parkettes lot.

Then came home and took the dog out. He was so good we took him almost a mile. He's sleeping. Wore him out.

center city allentown

Today I picked up Bonnie and we headed to downtown Allentown. It's been awhile since we've done that walk.

We parked at the Parkettes, and followed the walking trail along the Little Lehigh River, on MLK Blvd. At about 9th Street, we went up the WPA steps. This time we took the branch toward the Alburtis Meyers Bridge. (Happy Birthday A.M. Bridge! You look every bit your 100 years.) The steps are still in need of some love. Whole stairs are missing, and chunks are missing form others. The WPA did a fine job 70  years ago, but maintenance is sorely needed. Sadly, it probably will not happen. Ultimately, they will crumble, and closed. Penny wise and dollar foolish. Sadly, Allentown is not the only one practicing this philosophy.

I digress.

He went up 9th to Hamilton to check out the PPL Center Hockey Arena progress. They've made a lot. I saw this sign and had to walk against the fence. Call me a rebel. (I wouldn't have done that during the week with traffic!)

This is the Arena from the square. I'm guessing this is the front entrance, with the lovely curved facade. They are restoring the Dime Savings Bank on the right. They actually had to re-lay the bricks, one by one. Across the square, where the 1st National Bank was, a new, huge building is going up. Lots of changes in A'town.

When we reached 5th, we checked out the new courthouse (nice) and the addition to the art museum (still free Sundays, but doesn't open till noon. Boo.) Then headed down Linden to the waterfront. There we checked out America On Wheels museum. Bonnie's daughter and pseudo son-in-law are coming at Christmas, and he's a bit of a gear head. The perfect place to entertain him!

The it was under the Hamilton Street Bridge, past the orange car, and back to the car.

When I returned home, we went to Coca Cola Park for drive-by flu shots. Fun, healthy and free. My kind of event.