From its earliest days, the Two Rivers area has been a meeting place for commerce and culture. Strategically located at the fork of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, the region played a key role in the nation’s developing economy.

Our rich history is well documented, first as an administrative headquarters for business in the New World; then as a military and economic stronghold. It’s no wonder Easton was one of just three locations for the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.

Much of the history of the region is centered around the "forks" of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, where the City of Easton is located. These lands were occupied for generations by the Lenni-Lanape Indians and were granted to William Penn by Charles II in 1681. Thomas and John Penn negotiated acquisition of the land from the Lenni-Lanape and Iroquois Indians. This resulted in the famous "Walking Purchase" of 1737. William Parson and Nicholas Schull surveyed the land and set out the streets of Easton. The town was named after the English estate of Thomas Penn’s father-in-law, Lord Pomfret.

On July 8, 1776, Easton residents were among the first to hear the historic words that declared the freedom of the new United States. The 13-star Easton Flag, one of the first in the nation, was unveiled at the same time. Heritage Day festivities celebrate this historic event every year.

In the 19th century, Easton became one of the nation’s first industrial centers. The Lehigh, Delaware and Morris Canals and five major railroads gave the region ready access to New York and Philadelphia ports.

The past is present yet today, from the tow paths along the restored Lehigh and Delaware Canals to the 1753 Bachmann Publick House (a pre-Revolutionary War tavern) and the stylish beaux-arts State Theatre. In the Two Rivers area, you can still ride a mule-drawn canal boat and follow in the steps of George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The Two Rivers area is a wonderful place for business. Many national, international and highly specialized firms are located here. Binney & Smith, manufacturers of Crayola Crayons; Fort James-Dixie Products, home of the Dixie Cup; Victaulic of America, the world’s leading manufacturer of mechanical pipe components; and International Women’s Apparel, a division of Hartmarx, are but a sampling of the companies that call the Two Rivers area home.

We are proud to be the home of so many large corporations. We are equally proud of the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit that abounds in the community. This spirit is exemplified by such companies as Bixler’s Jewelers, America’s oldest jeweler, and Eisenhardt Mills, one of the premier custom millwork companies in the world.

Firms continue to locate and grow here. Our Lehigh Valley International Airport, cooperative local governments, aggressive economic development programs, available utilities and a well-trained, productive workforce continue to prove the Two Rivers area is second to none.

While we boast a magnificent history, we continue to build a record of which future generations may be justifiably proud. For over two centuries, the Two Rivers area has maintained a tradition of excellence. The region offers the very best in health care, housing, recreation and education, contributing to a high quality of life.

The Two Rivers area is a wonderful place to live, work and play — a place where you can make a difference. The Lehigh Valley community is large enough to offer a variety of opportunities, yet small enough to permit a truly personal involvement in business, civic and neighborhood activities.

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