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SEPTEMBER 27-OCTOBER 3, 2018
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Fire trucks parade through Northampton During inaugural block party by KERI LINDENMUTH Over 50 fire trucks, lights ablaze and sirens blaring, rolled through the borough of Northampton during the Northampton Borough Fire Department’s inaugural block party. The block party was held on
Washington Avenue in front of the Alliance Fire Company. Visitors could get up close to ladder trucks, pumpers, rescue boats, and even antique engines from the turn of the 20th century. Volunteer firefighters from over 20 municipalities showed off their
Brandon Reph joins Northampton Police force
equipment and gear for a panel of judges and even some young aspiring firefighters. There was plenty of food being served by the Alliance Fire Company, as well as a beer garden where visitors could sit back, relax, and admire the shining
fire trucks lining the street. For children, there were games, prize wheels, and candy. Some dawned plastic red helmets and spent time petting Ember, the two-year old Northampton Fire Department Dalmatian. There were plenty of cheers
Looking by Back Ed Pany The Village of Kreidersville
Police Chief Bryan Kadingo welcomes Brandon Reph to the Northampton Police Department.
by KERI LINDENMUTH Brandon Reph, 28, was hired as a part-time police officer for the Borough of Northampton during borough council’s public meeting on Thursday, September 20. Reph is a graduate of
Whitehall High School. After high school, he served in the United States Army’s 4th Infantry Division and spent one year in Afghanistan. He is a 2015 graduate of the Allentown Police Academy.
Today we will look into the history of the Village of Kreidersville. The village is on the old road from Bethlehem to Lehigh Gap. It consisted of a tavern, store, foundry and a score of buildings. It derives its name from Conrad Kreider, a native of Switzerland, who settled there during the colonial era. He was born Sept. 7, 1736, and came to Allen Township as a young man with his parents and married Regina Bastian. He owned a store and tavern and operated several mills on the Hokendauqua Creek. Kreider was
appointed “wagonmaster” during the Revolutionary War by the justices of Northampton County June 26, 1777. He reported that there were 550 wagons assembled. Northampton County furnished 200 wagons to the Army during the Revolutionary War. Kreider and his wagons played a crucial role in saving an American icon, the Liberty Bell, from British control. As the British occupied Philadelphia, it was decided that the bell should be taken away and hidden in a safe place. It was placed on a wagon and driven to-
(and sirens) when the parade of over 50 trucks took off from Washington Avenue, ventured through the municipal complex, and came back through the center of town via Main Street. Continued on page 2
ward Allentown, but on the way through Bethlehem, the wagon broke down on the town square and was repaired by the brethren. After great effort, the bell was hidden beneath the floor of Zion Reformed Church, where it remained until the British left Philadelphia. The bell, America’s symbol of liberty, was thus saved for future generations. Kreider died on the anniversary of his birth at the age of 92. The American patriot, who has been all but forgotten, was buried in the cemetery at Zion Stone United Church of Christ in Kreidersville — a fitting site. It would be a trip back in time to visit the church cemetery, Continued on page 2
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