Understand
The town was originally settled by a small group of Moravians a persecuted Protestant religious group from modern-day Germany and Czech Republic led by Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf in 1741. As the story goes, Bethlehem was founded on Christmas Eve, and the town was named for Jesus' birthplace, Bethlehem, Israel, because it was mentioned in the Christmas carols that were sung by the Moravians. During the Industrial Revolution it became home to one of the largest steel companies in the world, Bethlehem Steel, and its main manufacturing plant. Alas, the company folded in the 2001, closing the steel plant and setting off a temporary local downturn. Today, the city has a population of about 73,000, and is a thriving with a beautiful historic district, many cultural events, two colleges within center city, and a large casino/entertainment complex.
The official Visitor's Center is in the Historic District at 505 Main St., offering general information along with walking tours, literature, and the general gamut of tourist office services.
