Locust Valley, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Locust Valley
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 Locust Valley
Location in Pennsylvania
Locust Valley
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| County | Lehigh |
| Township | Upper Saucon |
| Elevation | 196 m (642 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Metro | 865,310 (US: 68th) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| Zip Code |
18036
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| Area code(s) | 610 |
Locust Valley is a small community located in the southeastern part of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It sits at the southern end of Upper Saucon Township. This area is part of the larger Lehigh Valley, which is home to over 860,000 people.
The village grew up around a main intersection where Locust Valley Road and Blue Church Road South meet today. This spot is close to the borders of Bucks County and Lehigh County.
The name "Locust Valley" comes from locust trees. In the mid-1800s, a man named George W. Foering planted many of these trees, creating a beautiful avenue. Even today, you can find many locust trees in the area, including around the local golf course. Locust Valley uses a Coopersburg mailing address.
Contents
History of Locust Valley
Before European settlers arrived, the land that is now Locust Valley was part of an area called Lenapehoking. This was the home of the Lenape native people. The local Lenape group, called the Unami, knew this place as "The Valley Watered by Many Springs."
Early Settlements
In 1681, William Penn started the colony of Province of Pennsylvania. Locust Valley was first part of Bucks County, one of the first three counties Penn created in 1682. As more land was bought, the Lenape people moved further west.
Around 1735, German immigrants began to settle in the Locust Valley area. They called it "Die Gass," which means "the valley." In 1743, these settlers officially organized the area as Upper Saucon Township. At that time, Locust Valley was one of five villages in the township.
In 1752, Locust Valley became part of the newly formed Northampton County. Later, in 1812, Northampton County was divided, and Locust Valley has been in Lehigh County ever since.
Land and Roads
The first land grant in the Locust Valley area was given to Henry Rumfield in 1736. The central part of Locust Valley was granted to George Morsteller in 1737. Many other settlers received land grants over the years.
During the American Revolution, one resident, George Bachman, had his property taken away because he didn't want to fight. In 1750, an official road opened between Locust Valley and Lanark. Today, this road is a combination of Blue Church Road and Lanark Road.
Village Life in the 1800s
The village grew around an iron mill called P. Weaver Foundry. This mill was located near the start of Laurel Run, a small stream that is a branch of Saucon Creek. You can still see parts of the old mill's water channel at the Locust Valley Golf Course.
In 1862, the W. Trumbaur Store was a key business in the village. It was located on the northwest corner of Locust Valley Road and Blue Church Road South. The Locust Valley post office opened in 1863. Peter Weaver ran it from a building that also served as a tavern. The post office closed around 1900 when mail delivery started coming directly to people's homes. A tannery, a place where animal hides are made into leather, was also operating in 1884.
The 1900s and Beyond
In 1910, Frank G. Hartman and Harvey Hersh, who lived in Locust Valley, started a foundry and machine shop called Hersh & Hartman. Frank had worked at Bethlehem Steel for 20 years, bringing a lot of experience to their new business.
The Locust Valley Country Club opened in 1954 as a private golf club. It was built on 125 acres that included an old 1806 stone house. William F. Gordon, who also designed a course at Saucon Valley Country Club, designed this golf course. In 1985, the club became open to the public. Famous athletes like baseball legends Joe DiMaggio and Brooks Robinson, and football star Chuck Bednarik, played in tournaments there. Even golf legend Arnold Palmer was known to practice at Locust Valley because his first wife was from nearby Coopersburg. The original 1806 house was taken down in 2017.
Education in Locust Valley
The first one-room schoolhouse in Locust Valley opened in 1850. It was located about half a mile north on what is now Blue Church Road South. Before this, children were taught in private homes or churches. Until about 1800, lessons were taught only in German, then they slowly started to switch to English.
A new schoolhouse was built in 1880 to replace the first one. A tower and bell were added in 1902. By 1884, the school had a blackboard, a globe, and special desks. This school operated until 1941. After that, students were bused to larger community schools. In 1946, Locust Valley students went to the Lanark School.
The old Locust Valley Schoolhouse was later sold and turned into a home. You can still see this building today at the corner of Blue Church Road South and Beverly Hills Road. Students in Locust Valley now attend schools in the Southern Lehigh School District. Older students (grades nine through 12) go to Southern Lehigh High School in Center Valley.
Churches in the Area
In the early days, people would gather in homes or other spots for worship before churches were built. The first dedicated church building was a Mennonite meetinghouse in Coopersburg, built around 1738.
The next church built in the Upper Saucon area was St. Paul's Blue Church. The first church, made of logs, was used by 1742. Later, other churches like Friedens Church and various Methodist churches were built in the area.
Notable Old Homes
Locust Valley has several historic homes. The oldest house still standing was built in 1750 and is located west of the main crossroads. Another home, built in 1820, stands at the northeast corner of Locust Valley Road and Gun Club Road.
A brick home built in 1850, across from the old schoolhouse, shows the traditional Federal style. This style is known for its balanced and symmetrical design. Another stone farmhouse, built in 1850, is at the corner of Blue Church Road South and Beverly Hills Road. This home shows German design influences. It originally had a stucco outside. A third home, built in 1880, is also at the T-intersection of Blue Church Road South and Beverly Hills Road.
