Everywhere we look in Catasauqua there is a reminder of our town’s proud history. Here in the Catasauqua Library, a dedicated and very knowledgeable group of volunteers has been systematically sorting and cataloging all manner of documents that have everything to do with the town’s history. At the turn of the 20th century, there were more millionaires in Catasauqua than in any other town in the country. Those fortunes were made in the 19th century during Catasauqua’s Golden Age of Iron. However, Catasauqua’s place in history had already been secured by George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association has spearheaded the effort to have seven state historical markers designated to highlight the Borough’s significant industries and people: The George Taylor House, Biery’s Port, Dery’s Silk Mill, David Thomas, Crane Iron Works, Bryden Horse Shoe Works, and Davies and Thomas Company Foundry and Machine Works. Catasauqua’s rich history, both industrial and generally, is the subject of many books that are part of the larger collection of local memorabilia housed in the Library’s Historical Room.
The challenge of preserving Catasauqua’s history is made all the more difficult by the wide range of subjects and items that need to be cataloged and protected. In addition to a wealth of town industrial history, the Library’s Historical Room is home to many Catasauqua High School Yearbooks starting in 1922, as well as photos of various graduating classes and sports teams. We are fortunate to have many back issues of the Catasauqua High School newspaper, the “Brown and White.” Town news is further recorded in back issues of the Catasauqua Dispatch. Additionally, there are numerous local military photos. Both the Centennial and Bicentennial celebrations are the subject of assorted memorabilia. Numerous types of documents capture subjects such as Old Home Week, Borough Government, local canals, the railroad and the coal industry. Of interest to many, the High School, College and Professional basketball career of Catasauqua’s Larry Miller is remembered in 5 scrapbooks.
At this time, the work of forever capturing the many facets of the rich history of Catasauqua is “a work in progress.” Many dedicated volunteers are readying The Historical Room for future public access, which will be by appointment. We will be letting you know just as soon as that time comes. For now, three cheers for the hard working, very knowledgeable volunteers who are preserving our local history.
NEW BOOKS:
LARGE PRINT
“Bittersweet Dreams,” V.C. Andrews
“The Cavendon Luck,” Barbara Taylor Bradford
“Order to Kill,” Vince Flynn
“Playing with Fire,” Tess Gerritsen
“Night Watch,” Iris Johansen
“Make Me Love You,” Johanna Lindsey
The Doll-Maker,” Joyce Carol Oates
“A Christmas Message,” Anne Perry
“But Enough About Me,” Burt Reynolds
“The Girl From Venice,” Martin Cruz Smith
FICTION
”Echoes in the Wall,” V.C. Andrews
“A Man Called Ove,” Fredrik Backman
“Tailspin,” Sandra Brown
“A Gathering of Secrets,” Linda Castillo
“Paradox,” Catherine Coulter
“The Perfect Couple,” Elin Hilderbrand
“Walking Shadows,” Faye Kellerman
“Texas Ranger,” James Patterson
“Feared,” Lisa Scottoline
“Pieces of Her,” Karen Slaughter
“Clock Dance: A Novel,” Anne Tyler
“When Life Gives You Lululemons,” Lauren Weisberger
“The Money Shot,” Stuart Woods
NON-FICTION
”The Case Against Impeaching Trump,” Alan Dershowitz
“Born Trump: Inside America’s First Family,” Emily Jane Fox
“The Russia Hoax: The Illicit Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump,” Gregg Jarrett
“The Plot to Destroy Democracy: How Putin and His Spies Are Undermining America and Dismantling the West,” Malcolm Nance
“Liars, Leakers and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy,” Judge Jeanine Pirro
“The Briefing: Politics, the Press and the President,” Sean Spicer
CHILDREN
“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates!” Ryan T. Higgins
JUVENILE
“Minecraft: The Crash,” Tracey Baptiste.
