History

History

One of the oldest settled portions of Northampton County, the area was founded by the Ulster-Scots in 1730 and was name “Hunter Settlement”. By 1746 the territory, which now comprises Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Lower Mt. Bethel Township and Washington Township, was organized under the name of Old Mt. Bethel Township. It had originally been a township in Bucks County until 1752, when Northampton County was created.

By 1787, the population had increased so much that the residents living in the upper portion of Old Mt. Bethel Township petitioned the Court for a division, thus forming Upper Mount Bethel Township.

Among the settled areas of the township at the time of its formation were Slateford, East Bangor, North Bangor, Johnsonville, Mount Bethel and Centerville. In 1884, East Bangor broke away from the township and became a borough.

Portland was known as Dills Ferry in the late 1700s until the railroad came through in the 1800s, and then it was known as Columbia Station. Portland petitioned for its incorporation in April of 1876 and left the jurisdiction of Upper Mt. Bethel Township.

Mt. Bethel has had many names through its history: Dietrichsville, Rum Corner, Williamsburg and eventually Mount Bethel.