Image: 1910 - Center Square Looking West

Description: Postcard image of Center Square, looking west from Hamilton Street. Taken about 1910 three businesses feature prominently in the photograph. On the left (southeast corner) side behind the horse-drawn hearse is Shankweiler and Lehr, a men's store where fine suits were sold. On the right (northeast corner) of Hamilton and Center square is the Hotel Allen, at the time, the finest hotel in the city. Next to it on Hamilton Street is the American Medicine Company. The American Medicine Company was owned by Jacob B. Waidlich, a native of Lynnport, Lynn Township. Waidlich was better known at the time as a major figure in the Lehigh County Democratic Party. From 1901 to 1904 he was county sheriff. In 1926, Waidlich moved his business to a new building at Church and Hamilton, 627-629 Hamilton St. a few doors to the east. It is still known as the Waidlich Building today. Along with the pharmacy, was the location of the Hotel Hamilton. This was the second Hotel Hamilton, the original had burnt down in 1918 at the location of where Three City Center building is today, next to the Lehigh County Court House. The original American Medicine Company store shown in this postcard became an Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company store when Waidlich moved out in 1926. It remained open until the late 1960s until it was acquired by the First National Bank, which tore down all the properties along Hamilton between Center Square and Church Street and expanded its main banking headquarters building.
Title: 1910 - Center Square Looking West
Credit: Unknown Postcard Photographer
Author: Unknown Postcard Photographer
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No