Recently, my friend Mr. Keith Piescienski shared with me material on one of the early prominent Northampton families, the John Smith family. Few of my younger readers realize the borough's municipal complex on Laubach Avenue, which encompasses the borough offices, police department and the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum, was the site of the former Smith homestead.

The Smith lineage traces back to 1770 when Peter Smith landed in Philadelphia and later settled in Northampton County. The family owned hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Allen Township and now what is the borough of Northampton.

In 1872 they joined Aaron Reyer and constructed lime kilns off Howertown Road, producing lime for area farmers. The prosperous business saw a railroad spur connecting the quarry with the Central of New Jersey Railroad. Much of the stone in those early years was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for road construction.

The last Smith patriarch to reside at the Laubach Avenue homestead was John Smith, with son William, daughters Ellen, Laura and Ida, none ever married.

Mr. Piescienski's great aunt, Miss Stella Frederick, was the loyal housekeeper of Ida, the last family member to reside there. Ida passed away on Sept. 22, 1963.

The family at one time owned the land where the Col. John Siegfried Elementary School is located, it was formerly named the Wolf Building. When the playground movement started, Mr. Smith donated the land on Eighth Street, the present N.A.A. Sports Complex site.

After World War I, he donated the land on Washington Avenue, the memorial plot where each year the community honors the sacrifices of the men and women who served in the military.

Land was also provided for American Legion Fred A. Snyder Post 353.

When the Coplay bank was organized, Smith was a founder and director until his death. Known as a philanthropist, he made many donations to area churches. Smith was a great supporter of the Stemton Band (now Northampton's third ward). Each year they offered a concert on the Smith Homestead.

When the Borough of Alliance was formed in 1902, Smith was one of our first councilmen. The Burgess was E. O. Reyer who, with Smith, operated the Reyer Stone Quarry. Mr. Smith saw and sold land to the Atlas Portland Cement Company. Plant 4 of the company and their house barns were practically in his backyard.

This writer recalls the last Smith to reside on the homestead. Ida was a dignified lady who allowed all of us to sled on her property during the winter season.

The family also owned numerous homes in the borough. They were all painted gray. The rents were low and the Smiths even made loans to people in need. Most tenants were able to purchase the homes at bargain prices.

The Smith legacy has been forgotten! When I drive on Smith Lane, I still remember the contributions they made to the community they loved. I thank Mr. Piescienski for sharing these memories with us and Larry Oberly for his photography.

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In two weeks we will have another memory of our past. Please join me!