Sand Island Park ~ Hidden Canal Ruins & The Steel Stacks Legacy | Bethlehem, PA

[@sueb860]

Well that was an adventure for sure! I remember watching a documentary on the Steel Tycoons of then19th and early 20th century, it is crazy how much the towns were built up around them and then wiped out when those industries left. Glad you were able to make it to your original destination, guard dogs and mean homeless people aside!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Thanks, Sue. A friend commented about how crazy of a path I took to get to the steel stacks. I suppose that I never did like following directions...lol Not sure about Connecticut, but he re in PA, most towns were built around either steel manufacturing or coal mining. Bethlehem is actually making a comeback, but many of the old PA town haven't been so fortunate. Thank you for watching!

[@TheFeralFemale130]

wow..that old Bethlehem steel building..would be awesome to get inside!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Feral Female! Oh yeah, I would love to walk through the old Steel Stacks buildings. So many spent much of their lives working there. I believe there are tours available, I may have to schedule one : ) Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@JohnDillon-s4l]

So much neat stuff hiding in plain site ❤ Be careful pit there 💪

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@JohnDillon-s4l yeah, there really is...especially in the Bethlehem area Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@LumberjackPa]

It's so cool to follow you through rock, brush, and who knows what else to see some things off the beaten path. Nobody, but you would ever take that route to the steel stacks😂. Thanks for wandering!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi LumberJack, it certainly was an alternate route to the Steel Stacks,...ol. I suppose that I usually just show up somewhere and wing it! Thank you for watching as well as for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!

[@jrhimer]

Really enjoy your posts as most of your subjects are kind of in my back yard. I always learn something new while watching them.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi JR (lovin' the Deadhead profile pic!) Awesome...always nice to hear positive feedback. It's much very appreciated!

[@Florian-Art]

Nice walk

[@jennsylvania1633]

thank you, my friend!

[@jennsylvania1633]

I really enjoyed this lil' hike. Quite often heading out without a plan makes for the best adventures!

[@thierrymunseugandachildren802]

Nice Walk thank you for sharing watching from Africa

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Thierry, Thanks for watching!

[@thierrymunseugandachildren802]

@@jennsylvania1633 Hi how are you there?

[@craig4557]

I just saw Rod Stuart at Wind Creek last week. Very cool area.

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@craig4557 I love Rod Stewart! Saw him in Pittsburgh a few months back. I also saw him a few years ago as well

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

You always find the most interesting places to explore..so many neat railroad and canal ruins in this area. The steel stacks are so interesting. We checked it out when we were up in the area last year.

[@jennsylvania1633]

it's pretty hard not to find interesting remnants of the past in Bethlehem. Quickly becoming one of my favorite areas in PA. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!

[@TravelHungryForLife]

Very nice my friend have a great weekend thumbs up here 👍🏻👍🏻🤗🤗👌🏻👌🏻

[@michaelolszewski-n6g]

Hello Jenny I like all your traveling you're the best on KZbin everything that you see you explain what it is

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Michael, Thank you so much for the very kind words. You made my day, my friend!

[@judith1219]

I love bicycling the D&L trail and sometimes I start at Sand Island and go toward Easton. Thanks for the video!! Hope you had a great run!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Judith, I really need to get myself a bike. So many wonderful rails to trails in PA Thank you for watching as well as for your comment. : )

[@charliejg]

I was just down there yesterday doing some photography! Fun place to explore! The only negative is that there are several homeless encampments along the D and L. It's sad, but it's also a bit unsettling. You definitely don't want to take that trail that you posted "It does not". As you found out, that is where there are many encampments. You should have crossed over on that bridge where you looked down at the water. There was a right turn trail that crossed over at the waterfall. The red building you called a mill is now known as The Ice House. Various events are held there including productions for the local schools. The students in the elementary school where I taught went there to see shows. FYI, that is not a public trail. Be careful along active rail. They have their own police and can be very tough with trespassers. Glad you enjoyed exploring that area. I grew up during the hey day of the Bethlehem Steel and had many friends who worked there. That Steel Stacks site is used for many different events from HS graduations to Musikfest to the awesome Lehigh Valley Cars and Coffee events. The finale for the season is this month. It's one of the largest car events on the east coast and it takes place tomorrow, Sunday, 9/22!! If you like cars, you should come see the show. If you would have kept crossing that large bridge toward Main Street and followed the Main Street access bridge you would have been in the section where the Moravians settled. The church and many of the buildings are preserved for touring. Moravian University also has some buildings there. It's a very big piece of Lehigh Valley history. Have a great weekend!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Charlie Thanks so much for your detailed comment! It’s great to hear you were just down there doing photography-such a fun spot to explore, despite the challenges you mentioned. I totally agree, encountering the homeless encampments can be unsettling, and it’s really heartbreaking too. I appreciate the heads up on the trail situation. Bethlehem Steel and the Steel Stacks site are such iconic parts of the area’s history, Cars and Coffee sounds pretty cool-I had no idea it was such a huge event on the East Coast! I’ll have to check it out sometime. I already did a video at the Moravian village. Check it out : kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHO0YYKJachsmbM Such an interesting area and full of history I had no idea about. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@WALTERZOLNA]

Another really cool video, I have been planning to do the walking tour there forever. I noticed the park you visited too in my research - looks pretty sketchy though. Please be careful out there. Love seeing the old buildings being repurposed like the train station in the begininning. Thanks for the look around, lots of cool sights!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Walter. Yeah, those old train stations are beautiful and need to be restored/repurposed. I feel the same way about so many churches in Pa as well. Sadly, they don't build like they used to in our country. Yeah, sketchy might be an understatement. I have a tendency to feel sorry for homeless people, but at the same time I need to be smart about the areas I explore. I turned around when I realized that the trail was leading to some possibly dangerous situations. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

SEPTA's Reading Line ran passenger trains from Landsdale Yard through that area to reach Hellertown, Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown as SEPTA's Cynwyd Line that was PRR serviced Norristown, Valley Forge to Quakertown to reach Allentown.

[@jennsylvania1633]

You seem to have an incredible knowledge of rail lines in Pennsylvania! Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@amerphoto1]

Hi Jen! I was watching a video once about reading and tracking animal tracks and the joke came up about train tracks. It said, "What is the one thing that you cannot tell by looking at train tracks? You can't tell which way the train went!" Homeless people make me nervous. You just don't know how to read them. There was an encampment last year near where we like to photograph pond life from a permanent blind. A couple times we encountered them and felt very uncomfortable as they would come to the intersection of a short path that goes to our blind and they would just stand there and stare at us. We eventually set up a personal protection motion detector that would let us know if someone came down the path to the blind as our backs were towards the path and we did not want anyone sneaking up on us. Nice video as usual and you sure find the neat places to explore! .... Daniel

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Daniel! lol...funny, and so true 😂 It’s unfortunate that setting up a motion detector is necessary, but I completely understand. While many homeless individuals are generally peaceful, I’ve also had my encounters with those who are less so. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

The PA canal follows PA 611 north from a point near Morrisville and Yardley PA on up along PA 611 to Easton PA.

[@jennsylvania1633]

thank you!

[@garyfryer7649]

Very cool location. You were right, they are called Railroad Ties 😊 So glad you have some defense with the pepper spray. Always worry about when you do this alone. As always, great video 😊🥰

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Gary, yeah, I suppose they were railroad ties : ) I'm pretty careful when exploring. I always carry pepper spray and stay aware of my surroundings. Had I continued down the path I was on originally, I'm thinking I may have had some problems. Anyway, thank you for your concern. Have an awesome week!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

That water area appears to be part of the Canal feeding the PA Canal and the Lehigh Canal.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Yes, I believe that is correct. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

I do know in Easton the Park along the PA Canal the Lehigh Canal and the PA Canal comes north out of Easton PA to Jim Thorpe. Yet at the Canal Park at the wye I'm not certain if there was a wye that led up to Monroe County PA as I never got chance to explore that area. 4. On the other side on the N.J. side there's also a canal north to south on that side also.

[@Holly-xn2qz]

Hi Jen, you peeking under the bridges, and seeing the canal reminds me of Clifford from the wandering woodsman, plus thank gods nothing happened to you with the homeless people, take care😊

[@jennsylvania1633]

Oh yeah, Cliff's awesome. I've been watching him for years! Most homeless people I run into are really nice. The not so nice woman that was nasty was most likely suffering from mental illness. So sad that so many are struggling these days. Thank you for your concern, my friend!

[@ODDySEEy]

I have seen both Restaurants and Historical Societies. "slash hike, slash run, slash explore"

[@jennsylvania1633]

Oh yeah, can't forget to do a bit of ""slashing" prior to the Halloween season...lol I too have moved away from the craziness. I moved out of Philadelphia in 2021 due to high crime and an overall feeling of disrespect for each other. Don't get me wrong, I still miss the city at times, but overall, I'm happier here in the suburbs. Not sure where you live but I'm thinking, it's really isolated. Do you like it there? Reason. I ask, is I'm thinking about moving into North Central PA. Thank you for watching and also for the comment. Have an awesome day, my friend!

[@ODDySEEy]

@@jennsylvania1633 without going full Dox... 40.408600808611745, -78.06369044065382

[@ODDySEEy]

​@@jennsylvania1633 my reply may have gotten moved to your "filtered" replies. FYI

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@ODDySEEy "Filtered replies" ...not sure I understand. Is there a way to filter replies on KZbin?🤔

[@ODDySEEy]

@@jennsylvania1633 within studio, under comments, it will only show you comment not responded to. If you click the filter option it will show you Held For Review (which may have naughty words, hyperlinks, mine had coordinates)

[@ocsrc]

120,000 people used to work at Bethlehem Steel When they closed the entire region went into a major depression I was here and saw a massive change

[@jennsylvania1633]

wow...I can only imagine how devastating that must have been. Thankfully, Bethlehem seems to be coming back. Or at least it appears that way when I visit. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@IceBearHalfwayPoint]

Oooh, I know right where you are! I have some friends there! 😃 It's cool looking, yet very dangerous looking, walking on those railroad ties. 😆 Oh my gosh, I am so sorry that some PIG insulted you like that! That's disgusting behavior! And yet people wonder why I prefer the woods. Wow, those old steel buildings are a sad history reminder of different times. It's awesome that you found the canal and man-made waterfall! Very cool stuff! Amen to the message on the bridge! Another great video, Jenn! 😁💚👊

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi IceBear! It's a fun area to explore, but yeah, sadly it's a lil' dangerous as well. "some PIG insulted you"...lol...yeah, I suppose that word describes her pretty much. So much forgotten history in the Bethlehem area. Thanks for the kind words, my friend!

[@ocsrc]

I remember back in the 70s and 80s when there were so many rail lines and coal cars coming in and out of Bethlehem There was a huge rail yard under where I-78 is now im Hellertown I remember watching D&H trains on the tracks there 50 tracks were all used There were tracks there that were removed There were lots and lots of tracks That old train station and the tracks, if you go in the other direction , the tracks connect to an active line There are active signals and 2 crossovers where the tracks junction If you look from the old train station you should see the triple search light signal always red That section of track is still listed as active but they never use it

[@jennsylvania1633]

yes, I noticed that there were signal lines on the other side of the street. 50 tracks? wow...things have certainly changed. Nice seeing so much still intact. I appreciate your well thought out comments. I learn from your comments and feel as though I want to go back and explore further. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I really appreciate your taking the time. : )

[@ocsrc]

@@jennsylvania1633 The tracks that used to come out of Bethlehem Steel and under I-78 ran south through Center Valley, Coopersburg and Quakertown. The line is now a trail from the north end of Quakertown to Center Valley. The trail end where the rail yard used to be. It is a popular trail and there are old signals left in place along the trail, but no longer work. I remember walking the tracks when it was an active double track line. SEPTA owns the trail and they plan to bring the SEPTA trains up to. Bethlehem in 2035 ESPN East Penn Railroad owns rights on the track now The Perkiomen branch runs from Emmaus to Pennsburg and ESPN runs trains on the line to Bloomer Chocolate in East Greenville behind the Walmart The line also has a spur that services Hosensack Substations The Reading Railroad used to own the line and they brought all the transformers for the substations It is an incredible sight I remember walking around in the substations in the 70s They were only about 10 years old back then After 9/11 they built giant walls around the substations and put up cameras But when I was a kid I was able to walk in easily and it was scary but also amazing seeing the infrastructure and how they built all these lines to power eastern Pennsylvania I remember seeing passenger Reading Railroad trains run across 663 in Pennsburg heading to Philadelphia Souch history is gone

[@thewisemanwalks]

That water going over the canal is actually called an aqueduct. And getting off the beaten trail is where the adventure is at. You actually found a tent city you never knew was there till you found it.

[@jennsylvania1633]

yup, it's an aqueduct for sure. Thanks for watching, my friend! I always like when I learn from comments.

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

What you were on is the railroad and its yard. As you leave Allentown Rescue Mission that is across U.S. 22 from the past train Station that was serviced by Lehigh Valley RR and SEPTA if you walk eastbound you will walk the side of the rescue mission then when you cross the bridge turn left down to the crossing of the railroad tracks and across the canal basin bridge and if you turned right in time it would take you to Jim Thorpe. If you turned right it will take you on the towpath to reach Bethlehem to Easton to Park to reach the PA Canal south along PA 611 to Yardley for SEPTA Reading line on down to Morrisville to reach SEPTA Trenton Local at Trenton or Tellytown.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi James That’s fascinating. I’m going to have to check out some of those locations. thank you for watching!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

If the railroad bridge over Delaware has the Lehigh Canal under it the RR is part of line coming from NY City that connects to N.J. Transit Trains out east that will connect to the Morris Canal Wye that the N.J. Transit and PA will connect again soon from Scranton to New York City with 3 trains daily 7 days a week up north of Easton on the Erie Lackawanna Short Cut areas through Delaware Gap PA. Look up Erie Lackawanna Short Cut Part 1 into the 30's for now or look up Scott Welsh.

[@us-unclesam6566]

By the end of 1995, Bethlehem Steel closed steel-making at its main Bethlehem plant. After roughly 140 years of metal production in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Steel ceased its Bethlehem operations.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Good morning! The day Bethlehem Steel announced that they were shutting down operations must have been a sad day for residents in the area. Thanks for watching!

[@us-unclesam6566]

@@jennsylvania1633 Free Trade not Fair Trade destroyed the best steel in the world.

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

Again PA Canal follows PA 611 south towards Philadelphia as memory has mind going to a point it will follow PA 32 through Bucks County.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi James, you certainly do have a lot of knowledge of the area. Thank you for the comment.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

Sweet video Jenn!! Lots of goodies in the area. Unfortunately the homeless are all over the place. I'm hoping they disappear in the winter. There's a lot I'd like to explore in Bethlehem. Stay safe please.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Kevin, Sadly, I seem to be seeing way more homeless encampments than ever before. I agree with you...Bethlehem is an awesome place to explore. I plan to be there a lot more over the next few months. Thank you for your watching!

[@TheRzoo]

We who live in the area pronounce Bethlehem as Beth-Lem. 😊

[@jennsylvania1633]

lol...yeah, I have friends from the area. BTW...I really like the Lehigh Valley a lot. Lots to do and the people all seem nice. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@pattim3332]

Bring a drone next time 😀

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Patti Yes!...I want to get a drone and learn how to use it. No doubt, showing an above visual would enhance my videos. Thank you for watching!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

1864 1867 1904 Erie Lackawanna RR mixed with Lehigh Valley RR.

[@jennsylvania1633]

thank you!

[@RobertSmith-cs5co]

hey agen did work there years ago shorwed this to my sister when she was cleaning my house she is gonna show her husband

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Robert, thank you for watching and for sharing. Much appreciated, my friend!

[@RobertSmith-cs5co]

there are caves and roack formathion up here ill show you but dont show me on your vids i dont want grlies followoing me home

[@RobertSmith-cs5co]

my bad panama rocks is in new yourk im close im a man of many taste im going to go to comicon today

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

That maybe the Lehigh & Lackawanna Railroad, however few things are unclear to me at this time. 1st When Pennsylvania Democrats sided with PRR Management they bought bonds on the West Shore Railroad which sparked William H. Vanderbilt to attack PRR where it hurt them the most by William invading the PRR's mainline area from Reading Railroads Yard in Harrisburg which was the Lebanon Valley Railroad for the Rutherford Yard to be used by the South Pennsylvania Railroad. 2. After J.P. Morgan of J.P. Chase Bank now Chase Bank refused to let Railroad Barrons off his yacht until the cut throating was ended, J.P. gave the Lehigh Valley RR, Central New Jersey to Vanderbilts as J.P. gave PRR the South Pennsylvania Railroad and the High Line for the Reading Railroad. When the questionable Lehigh & Lackawanna RR to the possible PRR there was also the questionable to me on the N&H RR that was to be brought into the hands of the Reading at the time the Lebanon Valley RR as it or they may have been to be connected to the South Mountain Railroad which was to connect to the SPRR and much more. This has connections to the Reading RR, Western Maryland RR/Railway, SPRR, South Mountain that was to become the SPRR spur from around Newport PA and Carlisle down to Harpers Ferry VA now WV as the AT was to be a railroad and much more. 3. I do know when I was in Delaware Gap driving there was a line south of the Erie Lackawanna Shortcut Bridge that a line followed the PA side of Delaware River south towards a point that I lost as it got dark and i tried to push to get to Susquehanna River to get home at the time. I plan to go back up that way in time to explore.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Fascinating history! The Lehigh & Lackawanna Railroad connection deserves a deep dive-thanks for sharing!

[@JohnDillon-s4l]

* out there...not "pit" 😂

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@JohnDillon-s4l lol...got it Thank you!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

Canal Boat.

[@jennsylvania1633]

yes...lol...I don't always know a lot about these locations I visit, but as explore more and more, my knowledge is growing. Thank you for adding so much in the comments.

[@dm7600]

😒🙄

[@jennsylvania1633]

Thank you! I hope that you are having a nice weekend : )