Editing South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania

{{short description|Township in Pennsylvania, US}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = South Whitehall Township
 | official_name            = 
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 | settlement_type          = [[Township (Pennsylvania)|Township]]
 | image_skyline            = 2013 - King George Inn (E Side).jpg
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 | image_caption            = [[Dorneyville Crossroad Settlement]] in South Whitehall Township in April 2013
 | image_flag               = 
 | image_seal               = South_Whitehall_Logo.png
 | seal_type                = Logo
 | seal_size                = 200px
 | etymology                = 
 | nickname                 = 
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 | anthem                   = 
 | image_map                = Lehigh county - South Whitehall.png
 | mapsize                  = 
 | map_alt                  = 
 | map_caption              = Location of South Whitehall Township in [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania]]
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 | pushpin_map              = Pennsylvania#USA
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 | pushpin_label            = South Whitehall Twp
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 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location of South Whitehall Township in [[Pennsylvania]]##Location in the United States
 | coordinates              = {{coord|40|36|56|N|75|33|01|W|display=inline,title}}
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 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Pennsylvania}}
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]]
 | established_title        = Established
 | established_date         = 1810
 | founder                  = 
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 | leader_party             = 
 | leader_title             = Mayor
 | leader_name              = 
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 | total_type               = 
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web|title=2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2016_Gazetteer/2016_gaz_place_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 14, 2017}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 44.67
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 17.25
 | area_land_km2            = 44.23
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 17.08
 | area_water_km2           = 0.44
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.17
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 | elevation_m              = 
 | elevation_ft             = 443
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 | population_as_of         = [[2010 United States census|2010]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0600000US4207772632&tid=DECENNIALSF12010.P1| title=Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), South Whitehall township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=data.census.gov| access-date=October 21, 2020}}</ref>
 | population_total         = 19180
 | pop_est_as_of            = 2016
 | pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
 | population_est           = 19794
 | population_rank          = 
 | population_density_km2   = 447.53
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1159.10
 | population_metro_footnotes = 
 | population_metro         = 865,310 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|68th]])
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 | timezone1                = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
 | utc_offset1              = -5
 | timezone1_DST            = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
 | utc_offset1_DST          = -4
 | timezone2                = 
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 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
 | postal_code              = 18069, 18103, and 18104
 | postal2_code_type        = 
 | postal2_code             = 
 | area_code_type           = 
 | area_code                = [[Area codes 610, 484, and 835|610]]
 | geocode                  = 
 | iso_code                 = 
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 42-077-72632
 | blank1_name              = Primary airport
 | blank1_info              = [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]]
 | blank2_name              = Major hospital
 | blank2_info              = [[Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest]]
 | blank3_name              = School district
 | blank3_info              = [[Parkland School District|Parkland]]
 | website                  = {{URL|southwhitehall.com}}
 | footnotes                = 
}}
'''South Whitehall Township''' is a [[township (Pennsylvania)|township]] in [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania]], United States. The township's population was 19,180 at the 2010 census.<ref name="Census 2010"/>  It is a suburb of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] and is part of the [[Lehigh Valley]], which had a population of 861,899 and was the 68th-most populous [[Metropolitan statistical area|metropolitan area]] in the U.S. as of the 2020 census.

South Whitehall Township borders Allentown to its east and is {{convert|59.3|mi|km}} northwest of [[Philadelphia]], and {{convert|94.5|mi|km}} west of [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.borough.emmaus.pa.us|title=The Official Borough of Emmaus Pennsylvania|website=www.borough.emmaus.pa.us|access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> The Lehigh Valley interchange of the [[Interstate 476|Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike]] and [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]] are both located in the township.

==History==
===18th century===
The first settlers of the [[Lehigh Valley]] region were [[Germans]], who emigrated from earlier settlements along [[Perkiomen Creek]] in present-day [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]] and [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]] counties. German settlers began arriving in present-day South Whitehall Township over a 20-year period beginning in about 1732. The immigration of the Germans and other European natives, including Swiss and [[Huguenots]], was aided by [[William Penn]] and his friends. The land lying south of [[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] was given to William Penn in 1713 by the [[Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribe. The land of Lehigh County between [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] and [[Lehigh Mountain]] was granted to Penn's sons by the [[Lenape]] in 1732. European emigrants were drawn to the area because of its reputation for fertile land and its limestone flanking rivers and streams, including present-day [[Jordan Creek (Pennsylvania)|Jordan Creek]].

One of the earliest tracts of land purchased in the township was by Nicholas Kern, who bought property on December 3, 1735, and October 28, 1737. Some of this was sold to Lorenz Guth on February 27, 1739. Guth continued to buy land in the area of the [[Anglicanism|Reformed Church]] property and also in the Guthsville area. By 1769, his holdings totaled {{convert|759|acre|km2}}. The Lorenz Guth house near Wehr's Dam still stands in excellent condition and is an example of colonial architecture.

Much of the history of South Whitehall can be traced to the Walbert-Guthsville region, and especially the two Jordan churches. The first ministration to the [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]] in the township occurred in 1734 when Reverend John Casper Stoever baptized Margaret, the daughter of the John Lichtenwalners, on February 6.

In 1736, a Reverend Schmidt preached occasionally to the Lutherans. In 1739, Reverend John Justus Jacob Birkenstock became pastor of the Jordan Lutheran congregation. In 1845, the centennial of the congregation was observed, suggesting that the first building was likely erected in 1745. The first church building was of logs and stood near the north wall of the old burial ground. It was used jointly by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations until about 1752 when the Reformed erected a building half a mile to the east, within sight of the current municipal building.

The original name "Whitehall" dates to 1740 and encompasses the land now found in [[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall]], South Whitehall, and [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall]] townships. Prior to the establishment of [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]] in 1752, the area was part of [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]], and the land currently occupied by South Whitehall was known as "the back part of [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]" on the Heidelberg District. The name Whitehall is thought to be derived from one of two sources: either a place in England, or for a white house erected as a hunting lodge near Jordan and Cedar creeks.

The Lutherans built the present church in 1842–1843 at a cost of $3,581.24 ({{Inflation|US|3581|1843|r=-3|fmt=eq}}). It was renovated in 1868. In 1886, a fine, shapely, slate-covered steeple, {{convert|138|ft|m}} high, was erected.

Members of the [[United Church of Christ]] religion settled in the area as early as 1738, and baptisms of their children during the period of 1740 to 1752 are recorded in the Lutheran record book. In 1752, Lorenz Guth presented the Reformed with a {{convert|50|acre|ha|adj=on}} tract of land, and a log church was erected in six weeks. The second and present church building, with its {{convert|110|ft|m|adj=on}} steeple, was built in 1808. It stands as one of the oldest church buildings in the country, and is a fine example of the architecture of that period.

The early schools of the township were connected with the two Jordan churches for many years, possibly extending back to 1739. According to the Roberts history, the congregations were at first supplied not by pastors, but by teachers who used to read sermons on Sundays. It is possible that church-sponsored schools taught by sermon readers existed in the earliest days of the congregations.

===19th century===
South Whitehall Township was established in 1810 following a petition to the Northampton County Court to divide former Whitehall Township into two areas, [[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall]] and South Whitehall. In 1812, [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] was divided off from the original Northampton County, establishing South Whitehall Township within and nearly at the center of Lehigh County. Agriculture was the backbone of the economy of the township for many years. Much of the land today still is under cultivation. For over a century, at least six grain mills flourished on [[Jordan Creek (Pennsylvania)|Jordan]] and Cedar creeks.

In the early 19th century, [[iron ore]] was discovered at different places in the township, and mining operations were carried on from 1820 to 1890. In 1867, the eastern portion of South Whitehall and the southeastern portion of North Whitehall were detached and formed into [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]].

===20th century===
In 1966, South Whitehall became a First Class Township. Four locations in the township, [[Dorneyville Crossroad Settlement]], [[Haines Mill]], [[Manasses Guth Covered Bridge]], and [[Wehr Covered Bridge]], have been listed with the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

In January 2024, South Whitehall Township Police Department Chief Glen Dorney announced a full staff of 43 sworn police officers.<ref> https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/parkland/south-whitehall-police-fully-staffed-for-first-time-in-3-years</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Dorney-park-night-1950.jpg|thumb|Main entrance to [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]] in South Whitehall Township in 1950]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the township has a total area of {{convert|44.7|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|44.2|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.4|sqkm|order=flip|1}}, or 0.98%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016"/> The township is located immediately west of Allentown and approximately {{convert|55|mi}} northwest of [[Philadelphia]]. It is drained by [[Jordan Creek (Pennsylvania)|Jordan Creek]] and [[Little Lehigh Creek]] into the [[Lehigh River]].

South Whitehall has a hot-summer [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfa'') and is in [[hardiness zone]] 6b. Average monthly temperatures at Springhouse Middle School range from {{convert|28.6|F}} in January to {{convert|73.5|F}} in July.<ref>[http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ Prism at Oregon State University]</ref>

South Whitehall's villages include [[Cetronia, Pennsylvania|Cetronia]], Crackersport, [[Dorneyville, Pennsylvania|Dorneyville]] (also in Salisbury Township), Greenawalds, Guthsville, Mechanicsville (also in North Whitehall), Meyersville (also in North Whitehall), [[Orefield, Pennsylvania|Orefield]] (also in North Whitehall), Parkway Manor, [[Scherersville, Pennsylvania|Scherersville]] (also in Whitehall Township), Sterlingworth, [[Walbert, Pennsylvania|Walbert]], Wennersville, Westwood Heights, and Woodlawn.

=== Adjacent municipalities ===
* [[Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Macungie Township]] (southwest)
* [[Lower Macungie Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Macungie Township]] (south)
* [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]] (south)
* [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] (southeast)
* [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]] (northeast)
* [[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall Township]] (north)
* [[Lowhill Township, Pennsylvania|Lowhill Township]] (tangent to the west)

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|2000= 18028
|2010= 19180
|2020= 21080
|footnote=<ref>{{cite web |title=Census 2020 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/southwhitehalltownshiplehighcountypennsylvania/PST045219}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]], there were 19,180 people, 7,814 households, and 5,339 families residing in the township. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,115.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 8,180 housing units at an average density of {{convert|475.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the township was 89.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.3% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.7% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|title=American FactFinder|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212055711/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2012}}</ref>

There were 7,814 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 24.827% of all households were made up of individuals, and 35.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 20, 3.9% from 20 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 22% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males. The median income for a household in the township was $64,854, and the median income for a family was $78,629. Males had a median income of $55,047 versus $41,610 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $36,274. About 2.6% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.73% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|title=American FactFinder|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_DP03|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212210816/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_DP03|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2012}}</ref>

== Recreation ==
[[File:Dorney Park Steel Force Thunderhawk.jpg|thumb|[[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]]'s [[Steel Force]] and [[Thunderhawk (Dorney Park)|Thunderhawk]] roller coasters in South Whitehall Township; Steel Force is the eighth-tallest steel roller coaster in the world with a first drop of {{convert|205|ft|m}} and a top speed of {{convert|75|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdb.com/id276.htm |title=Rollercoaster Database: Steel Force (Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom) |access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref>]]
South Whitehall Township is best known as the home of [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom|Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom]], a popular amusement park. It also hosts the Lehigh County Soccer Fields, which are accessible from Broadway east of Route 309.

==Government and politics==
South Whitehall is represented by State Senator [[Jarrett Coleman]] in the [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 16|16th Senatorial district]] and State Representative [[Michael Schlossberg]] in the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 132|132nd State House district]]. At the federal level, South Whitehall is represented by [[Ryan Mackenzie]] in the [[Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district|7th congressional district]].

{{PresHead|place=South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://home.lehighcounty.org/tallyho/ElectionsHub.aspx|title=ELECTION RESULTS|website=lehighcounty.org|access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/lehighpaenr/8/en/Index_8.html|title=November 2024 General Election|date=November 26, 2024|website=livevoterturnout.com|access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|6,163|6,895|212|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|5,735|6,791|140|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|5,125|5,198|343|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|4,981|5,010|108|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|4,701|5,590|133|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,027|4,894|59|Pennsylvania}}
|}

==Education==
{{Further|Parkland School District}}
The township is served by the [[Parkland School District]]. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend [[Parkland High School (Pennsylvania)|Parkland High School]], located on [[Cedar Crest Boulevard]] in the township. Both of middle schools (Orefield and Springhouse) are in South Whitehall, as are Cetronia, Kratzer, and Parkway Manor Elementary Schools. Some of the township's students attend Kernsville Elementary just over the North Whitehall line, while others attend Ironton Elementary located in North Whitehall Township. Kratzer is located in Greenawalds.

==Transportation==
[[File:2022-09-23 10 55 44 View west along Interstate 78 and north along Pennsylvania State Route 309 from the overpass for South Hillview Road in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|The interchange of [[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|I-78 West]] and [[Pennsylvania Route 309|PA Route 309 North]] in South Whitehall Township]]
As of 2022, there were {{convert|145.38|mi}} of public roads in South Whitehall Township, of which {{convert|3.50|mi}} were maintained by the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission]] (PTC), {{convert|33.68|mi}} were maintained by the [[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation]] (PennDOT) and {{convert|108.20|mi}} were maintained by the township.<ref name=PennDOTmap>{{cite web|url=https://gis.penndot.gov/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/Type5/39103.pdf|title=South Whitehall Township map|publisher=PennDOT|access-date=March 17, 2023}}</ref>

The [[Lehigh Valley]] interchange of [[Interstate 476]] and [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]]'s Northeast Extension with [[U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 22]] is in the western part of the township. [[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 78]] crosses the southern portion of the township concurrent with [[Pennsylvania Route 309]]. Additional thoroughfares include [[Cedar Crest Boulevard]] and Mauch Chunk Road north-to-south, and Walbert Avenue, Tilghman Street, Broadway, and [[Pennsylvania Route 222]], also known as Hamilton Boulevard, east-to-west. [[LANta]] serves multiple bus routes in South Whitehall Township, connecting [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] with its western and northern suburbs.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
*{{Official website|southwhitehall.com}}
*[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/topic/south%20whitehall%20township/ South Whitehall Township news] at [[The Express-Times|Lehigh Valley Live]]

{{Lehigh County, Pennsylvania}}
{{Lehigh Valley}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1732 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Cedar Crest Boulevard]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1732]]
[[Category:Townships in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Townships in Pennsylvania]]