Tawery
1768
In the early years of Bethlehem, the tawer processed sheepskins almost exclusively. However, after the 1760s, inventories indicate that deerskins became the primary source of leather for the tawing industry.
The tawer used sheepskins and deerskins to make soft, pliable leather for goods such as bookbindings, fine upholstery, gloves, pocketbooks, and knee breeches. This leather was white, buff, or light tan in color, in contrast to the red-colored, thicker leather produced in the tannery which stood on the opposite side of the raceway.
The first tawery appears on a map of Bethlehem dated 1752. In 1768, a second tawery was built of brick on this site. The tawing business ended around 1827 and the building was used for other purposes including a saloon and bowling alley, restaurant and concert hall.
The building was torn down in the early 1900s.
[Photo caption on marker]
In the late 1880s, William _althane_ [illegible] operated his “Summer Garden” here. Newspaper advertisements declared it to be the “coolest place in town.”
[Marker is damaged]
Courtesy hmdb.org
