Laurys Station, Pennsylvania

Laurys Station was initially known as "Slate Dam", after the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company built a large dam there in 1830. In 1832, David Laury established a hotel there, which would become a popular resort during the summer months. Laury would later become the settlement's postmaster (1853) and station agent, when the Lehigh Valley Railroad opened a station there in 1855.[3] The Lehigh Valley Railroad's four-track mainline was located directly in the middle of the town, which was situated around present-day Mauser Street. It is unknown at what point in time the apostrophe was dropped from the village name, but Laury's Station eventually became Laurys Station.

Laurys Station, at one point in time, had its own amusement park on an island in the river. Founded by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company in 1891 and known as Laury's Island, it included attractions such as steamboat rides, a merry-go-round, and a large dancing pavilion.[4] It was frequently used by social and church groups in the area for gatherings, as well as local family reunions. The Allentown Band held regular concerts there. [5] A massive flood in February 1902 caused severe damage to the park; although repairs were made and operations continued for a few more years, the park was closed and dismantled in 1906.[6]

Laurys Station is in northeastern Lehigh County, in the northeast part of North Whitehall Township. It sits within a bend of the Lehigh River, which borders the community to the west, north, and east. Across the river is Lehigh Township to the north and west, and Allen Township to the east, both townships being in Northampton County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Laurys Station CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), of which 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²), or 6.77%, are water.[2] Via the Lehigh River, the community is part of the Delaware River watershed.

Laurys Station is part of the Parkland School District. Students in grades nine through 12 attend Parkland High School.

• Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Rev. John Baer Stoudt; Rev. Thomas H. Krick; William J. Dietrich (1914). History of Lehigh County Pennsylvania and a Genealogical and Biographical Records of its Families. 1. Lehigh Valley Publishing Company.