[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2014

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of 
Slatington as they prepare to celebrate their 150th anniversary. That 
would be their sesquicentennial, Mr. Speaker.
   The Borough of Slatington is located in northern Lehigh County and 
is in Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. As their Member of 
Congress, it is my honor to enter these words into the Congressional 
Record in recognition of this proud event.
   The story of Slatington's founding is a very American story. Like so 
many communities, it began as a farm settlement. Nicholas Kern and his 
family settled the area in 1741. Their extensive farmstead included a 
gristmill, sawmill and a tavern. They farmed the fertile soil along the 
Lehigh River. Another European settler, Ambrose Remaley also 
established himself in the area, holding land warrants in what is now 
the southern portion of present day Slatington.
   Agriculture remained predominant in the area until three Welshmen, 
Owen Jones, William Roberts and Nelson LaBar made a significant 
discovery in 1844. The area was rich in slate--and so Slatington soon 
gained its name.
   By 1847 the first school slate factory in the United States opened 
in the town. The discovery of slate and subsequent quarrying and 
production of slate products brought about rapid growth. Slatington 
incorporated as a borough on September 7, 1864.
   At its peak, the slate industry provided employment for 2,000 
people. They worked in the quarries or they worked to produce curbing, 
roofing tiles, sidewalks and importantly, school blackboards and 
slates.
   In fact, the specific type and color of the slate quarried in 
Slatington proved to be ideal for use in school blackboards. Slatington 
became known as the ``blackboard capital of America.'' The blackboards 
and school slates produced in Slatington played an important role in 
helping educate children across the country in the 19th and early 20th 
centuries.
   Slatington's slate products weren't just shipped all over the United 
States--they were shipped and bought across the World.
   Even as the slate industry began to fade as other materials became 
cheaper and because of new technologies, Slatington continued to 
thrive.
   Its rich history is a source of pride for the community and for 
Lehigh County. For example, the Borough boasts the oldest Halloween 
Parade in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Part of Slatington is a 
National Register Historic District, and the Borough has two statues of 
Firemen listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
   Present day citizens of Slatington are justifiably proud of their 
past, especially on the advent of their 150th Anniversary. At the same 
time, they have their eye on the future and remain intent on assuring 
that Slatington remains a great place for people to live, work and 
raise families.
   I ask the House and the Speaker to join me in celebrating their 
Borough's 150th Anniversary and wishing them continued happiness, 
harmony and success moving forward.

                          ____________________