Lehigh Crane Iron Works, Front Street, Hokendauqua, Lehigh County, PA

The location of the survey was changed from Catasauqua to Hokendauqua to more accurately reflect its location. 11/2013
The original survey misidentified the site as the Lehigh Crane Iron Works. The name was corrected to Thomas Iron Company. 11/2016
Significance: The Thomas Iron Company was organized in February 1854 and received a special charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania two months later. The company was named for David Thomas, who served as the first trustee of real estate. His son, Samuel, served as the first superintendent.

The furnaces were built in 1855 (nos. 1 and 2), 1862 (no. 3), 1863 (no. 4), 1873 (no. 5), and 1874 (no. 6). Samuel McHose of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was awarded the contract for masonry and bricklaying. The furnaces were located on land that the company had purchased from Thomas Butz. Changes and improvements were made to the stacks in the 1890s. The site remained active until 1927. The company surrendered its charter in June 1942.
Survey number: HAER PA-154
Building/structure dates: 1855- 1874 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: after. 1890- before. 1899 Subsequent Work