In this continuing series, I am in Darktown, Hokendauqua, Whitehall Township, speaking to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bednar on the origin of the hamlet's unique name.

The 1935 Old Home Week celebration program tells us the name "Darktown" originated because at the time there were no street lights south of Lehigh Street, which also included Water Street. The village of Hokendauqua was illuminated by generators at the Thomas Iron Company, but the service was extended south of Lehigh Street. Hence, the name Darktown.

In a few years light came, but the name Darktown became part of local history.

The first deed in the Lehigh Courthouse shows a property transfer in 1822 when Jacob Hartman purchased 31 acres and built a tavern on the site. In 1840 a number of homes were erected and a ferry line crossed the Lehigh River between Water Street and Catasauqua.

This street was used extensively as the principal road to the Hokendauqua and Coplay Iron Companies from the old Eberhard Quarries. The street was known as River Road, the principal road leading to Allentown. As the iron companies extended Water Street, then known as Sliverville, there was an increase in population. In 1857 the hamlet contained 40 homes and two taverns.

The largest tavern was still standing on Water Street until recently. The multistoried building was demolished to accommodate the new Hokendauqua Bridge. Old timers called the building the "Brickee."

The Thomas Iron Company not only attracted Welsh iron makers but also other immigrants to man the sprawling iron plants in Hokendauqua and Catasauqua.

The first wave of immigrants were Irish workers who built homes on Water Street, becoming good citizens and community leaders. At the time, homes were constructed on both sides of the street. A tragic flood destroyed most of the homes on the eastern side of the street. Some of these homes were never replaced. Over the years floods have destroyed and damaged homes and property. Property was destroyed, but the spirit of the residents has sustained them during difficult times.

In 1935, during Old Home Week, there were approximately 32 homes and 200 residents. About 80 percent of the population was of Slavish descent, all good and upright citizens.

The center of the hamlet was the Darktown Fire Company of Hokendauqua, organized in 1878. The company disbanded but was reorganized in 1903. The first president was Patrick Herrity and J. O'Donnel was fire chief. They paraded in Allentown at the state convention with 81 men, 13 horses, a horse carriage and suction pump. They were in the Four County Firemen's Parade in Northampton in 1924.

In 1934 a new building was constructed and a siren was installed. In 1935 Paul Thomas was president and the fire chiefs were John Osifcak and John Zerosh. Trustees were Paul Thomas, John Dunbar, John Kraynik, Lee Speth and T. O'Donnell.

The company started in a barn as an old fire brigade and, later, the members purchased a horse-drawn gig. The company never had a truck. The last gig is still in a Darktown garage.

Mike Bednar recalls, "My father and many volunteers constructed the last Darktown Fire Company building. They obtained cement by cleaning old cement hopper cars at the West Catasauqua Beiry Railroad yard. Our family were members of the company."

Mike's wife, the former Donna Speth, says her grandfather Leo was a founding member of the company and acted as the fire chief. Her father, Donald, was also a member.

"As youths we could not enter the fire company," Mike says. "There was a window facing Water Street so we pressed the buzzer, a member opened the window and we purchased sodas and treats."

The 1935 celebration was a four-day event and featured music with English and Slovak selections, amateur boxing, Danny O'Donnell's Dancing Review, fire demonstrations and free talking movie pictures. A gathering such as this for a few days helped residents forget the toils of the Great Depression.

The fire company is gone, the building remains as a chronicle of memories for the Bednars and the older residents of Darktown.

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In two weeks we face the Great Depression in Darktown.