A photo of the former Hellertown Train Station during its last years of existence.
A proposal by a local Eagle Scout to construct an informational sign about the former Hellertown train station along the Saucon Rail Trail–in the area where it stood until approximately the 1980s–won the unanimous approval of borough council Monday night.
Kevin Hendrick, a Life Scout with Troop 131 in Wescosville, said the horizontal sign will include photos of the long lost station along with information about how it was used, particularly during the “Iron Rush” at the beginning of the 20th century.
The sign will be mounted on two posts, at an angle, at a height of several feet.
Hendrick said he plans to clear away much of the undergrowth in the area where the sign will be placed, and beautify it with mulch and flowers once it’s installed.
“The area does become relatively overgrown during the summer months when things are growing,” he said.
There was some dispute about where the station was actually located.
Although Hendrick’s plan is to place the sign along a section of trail near the NAPA Auto Parts building–which is at the intersection of Front and Depot streets–councilman Phil Weber remembered the station being closer to where the Front Street Apartments are now, or slightly north of the intended placement area.
Councilman Earl Hill, who is an active member of the Hellertown Historical Society, agreed with Weber.
A raised wooden platform that Hendrick said was once part of the train station’s platform may be a remnant of something else, Weber said.
In order to install the sign, Hendrick will also need to obtain permission from the Saucon Rail Trail Oversight Commission and the Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) Heritage Corridor, which will produce the sign according to standards they use for their signage.
Hendrick’s father said the idea for the project arose during a visit to Saucon Valley Bikes in Hellertown.
His son and wife enjoy bicycling on the Saucon Rail Trail, and found out through conversation with a staff member at the nearby store that an educational sign about the former train station is one of several projects on a wish list trail volunteers have.
