About Our School
About our School
Built in 1972, Sheckler Elementary School is home to about 550 students in the Catasauqua area from kindergarten to fourth grade. The school is dedicated to the memory of Francis H. Sheckler, a longtime citizen of Catasauqua and a teacher for over fifty years.
George Taylor, A signer of the Declaration of Independence, built a Georgian stone house in 1768 in what is now the borough of Catasauqua. Today, the George Taylor House is a National Historic Landmark, a showpiece of the community's rich historical heritage.
In 1840, the anthracite iron industry was founded in what is now known as Catasauqua, originally Biery's Port, making it a birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the United States. Welsh immigrant David Thomas relocated to the area and opened the Crane Iron Works. Remembered as "the father of Catasauqua," Thomas initially named the community Craneville, after his former employer in Wales.
The wealthy, generous Thomases were responsible for many sweeping changes to the prosperity of the community. David Thomas founded the Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, in which residents still worship today, and his wife Elizabeth donated money and land to found the Welsh Congregational Church, which no longer exists. Thomas organized Catasauqua's first fire company, installed its first public water system, and served as its first burgess.
In 1854, the town was formally titled Catasauqua (pronounced "Cat-uh-SAW-kwuh"), from the Lenni Lenape language, meaning "dry ground" or "thirsty ground."
Catasauqua is home to two different neighborhoods listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One is Biery's Port, located along the Lehigh River and named for an early family of prominence; the other is known as "the mansion district," and comprises Victorian homes once owned by wealthy residents.
By 1900, Catasauqua boasted 5,000 residents, and had the highest percentage of self-made millionaires of any town in the United States.
In 1917, while many of the young men of the town served in World War I, Catasauqua became the first community in the United States to raise $1 million in war bonds, earning it the nickname "The Million Dollar Town".
Catasauqua observed its 150th anniversary of incorporation in 2004. In July 2014, the town also celebrated its 100th anniversary of the old home week celebration in 1914. The original old home week marked the 75th anniversary of the Lehigh Valley Crane Iron Works
- Celebrated World War II P-38 fighter pilot and Triple Ace of the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, Thomas Lynch. A native of Catasauqua and graduate of Catasauqua High School.
- The Fuller Family of Catasauqua, Mayflower descendants, Civil War veterans, and business leaders (Chauncey Day Fuller and Sarah (Abbott) Fuller; George W. Fuller; James Wheeler Fuller, I and Clarissa (Miller) Fuller; James Wheeler Fuller, II; James Wheeler Fuller, III; Orange Fuller; Orlando Fuller, et al.).
- Buck Freeman, professional baseball player, 1891-1907. Played with Washington Senators. Born in Catasauqua.
- Pat Kelly, professional baseball player, New York Yankees, 1991-97. Catasauqua High School graduate.
- Bert Kuczynski, pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics, 1943, and tight end in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, 1943, and Philadelphia Eagles, 1946. Taught and coached at Catasauqua High School.
- Larry Miller, Class of 1964, Basketball Star for University of North Carolina during the 1960s and played professionally in the ABA from 1968-1975 as a member of the Los Angeles Stars, Carolina Cougars, San Diego Conquistadors, Virginia Squires, and Utah Stars.
- Jonathan Linton played professional football for the Buffalo Bills.
- Anthony Recker played professional baseball for the New York Mets.