Lehighton, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Lehighton is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania
, 86 miles (138.4 km) north by west of Philadelphia. In the past, it developed early industries because of water power from the Lehigh River
. With the location of a repair facility here and its regional operations, the Lehigh Valley Railroad
became for years a major employer of thousands of people from the area. Post-World War II
railroad and industry restructuring led to job and population losses.
From a peak of nearly 7,000 in 1940, the population was 5,537 at the 2000 census. Lehighton is the most populous borough in Carbon County and still the business hub of the county.
Lehighton is located in northeast Pennsylvania
26 miles (41.8 km) north/northwest of Allentown
and 35 miles (56.3 km) south of Wilkes-Barre
.
Lehighton's elevation varies from 470 feet on Routes 443 and 209 up to 725 feet near the northwest part of town by Mahoning Township border.
(also called Delaware, after their language and territory on the Delaware River
. Their bands occupied much of the coastal mid-Atlantic area in Delaware, New Jersey
, Pennsylvania
and New York
.)
Lehighton was built on the site of the German Moravian Brethren's mission station Gnadenhütten (cabins of grace) founded in 1746. It was established as a mission to the Lenape by Moravians from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
, lower on the Lehigh River. The German name was transcribed as "Canatanheat" by missionary John Brainerd.
During the French and Indian Wars
(Seven Years War), Native allies of the French killed 11 missionaries and Lenape (Delaware) convert
ed Christians at Gnadenhutten on 24 November 1755. They destroyed the mission village and only four of the fifteen residents escaped. (During the American Revolutionary War
, in 1782 Pennsylvania militia raided another Moravian mission village, also called Gnadenhutten, in present-day Ohio
. Suspecting the Lenape of being allied with the British
, the militia killed 96 unarmed men, women and children in what became better known as the Gnadenhutten Massacre
.)
The Lehigh River was a source of water power for developing industries in the 19th century. Lehighton had silk and lace
mills, a meat-packing house, shirt factory, automatic-press works, car shops, stoneworks, and foundries. In 1900, the population was 4,629 people. By 1940 it reached 6,615.
The coming of the railroad made it easier for businessmen to get their products to major markets. For many years the Lehigh Valley Railroad
had a major repair facility in Lehighton. The coming of the railroad was a major economic boost for the town. It was the area's largest company, employing several thousand workers at the repair facilities or operating and maintaining the railroad. Restructuring in the railroad industry led to the repair facilities being moved to another location. Lost jobs meant that some people had to move elsewhere for work.
In typical post-World War II
developments, the Lehighton downtown declined after Carbon Plaza Mall
was built in nearby Mahoning Township
. Suburban housing developed, pulling more businesses from downtown. After struggling for three decades, the downtown is experiencing a rebirth as people appreciate the qualities of a compact central location and historic architecture.
The town holds an annual civic event, "Bike Night", featuring more than 28,000 motorcyclists.
In late September through October, the Country Junction
store sponsors "The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival". It features hayrides, walks in haunted woods, and cornfield maze
s.
The town is also on a north-south bird migration pattern, and birds can be frequently seen flying south in mass in the fall. One particularly tall grey rooftop overlooking the Lehigh River on the Rt. 209 bridge is a frequent stop for migrating birds.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (2.22%) is water. Lehighton is located 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Jim Thorpe
and 8 miles (12.9 km) northwest of Palmerton
. Lehighton's mean elevation is 650 ft (198.6 m) but the elevation in the borough varies widely from 470 feet up to 800 feet.
Lehighton is primarily very green and hilly. Surrounding the town and enveloping its outlying communities are the Appalachian Mountains
. The Appalachian Trail
, providing extensive hiking along the East Coast, is located nearby and can easily be reached from the town. It is bordered on the north, west, and south by Mahoning Township
and across the Lehigh River
on the east by Weissport
and Franklin Township
.
Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing moderate snow and others bringing numerous significant snowstorms. Average snowfall is 50.4 inches (128 cm) per year, with the months of January and February receiving the highest at just over 15 and 13 inches each. Rainfall is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to twelve wet days per month, at an average annual rate of 110.54 centimetres (43.5 in).
of 2000, there were 5,537 people, 2,362 households, and 1,506 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,230.8 people per square mile (1,250.2/km²). There were 2,546 housing units at an average density of 1,485.6 per square mile (574.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.32% White, 0.34% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population, but the illegal immigrant population has grown dramatically all over Pennsylvania. The plurality of Lehighton residents are of German
descent. There are also substantial populations of Irish
, Italian
, and Polish heritage. Of the German inhabitants, most can trace their ancestry to Bavaria
, Baden-Wurttemberg
and the Rhineland-Palatinate
.
There were 2,362 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $28,566, and the median income for a family was $35,673. Males had a median income of $30,590 versus $22,466 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $14,861. About 10.8% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Winter daytime highs average 27.8 °F (-2.3 °C) in January and the lows are 13.9 °F (-10.1 °C)
Summer daytime highs average 81.2 °F (27.3 °C) in July and the lows are 55.6 °F (13.1 °C)
Carbon County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 58,802 people, 23,701 households, and 16,424 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were 30,492 housing units at an average density of 80 per square mile...
, 86 miles (138.4 km) north by west of Philadelphia. In the past, it developed early industries because of water power from the Lehigh River
Lehigh River
The Lehigh River, a tributary of the Delaware River, is a river located in eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. Part of the Lehigh, along with a number of its tributaries, is designated a Pennsylvania Scenic River by the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources...
. With the location of a repair facility here and its regional operations, the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was one of a number of railroads built in the northeastern United States primarily to haul anthracite coal.It was authorized April 21, 1846 in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and incorporated September 20, 1847 as the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad...
became for years a major employer of thousands of people from the area. Post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
railroad and industry restructuring led to job and population losses.
From a peak of nearly 7,000 in 1940, the population was 5,537 at the 2000 census. Lehighton is the most populous borough in Carbon County and still the business hub of the county.
Lehighton is located in northeast Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
26 miles (41.8 km) north/northwest of Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
and 35 miles (56.3 km) south of Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
.
Lehighton's elevation varies from 470 feet on Routes 443 and 209 up to 725 feet near the northwest part of town by Mahoning Township border.
History
At the time of European encounter with historic American Indian tribes, this area was part of the territory of the LenapeLenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
(also called Delaware, after their language and territory on the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
. Their bands occupied much of the coastal mid-Atlantic area in Delaware, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.)
Lehighton was built on the site of the German Moravian Brethren's mission station Gnadenhütten (cabins of grace) founded in 1746. It was established as a mission to the Lenape by Moravians from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, lower on the Lehigh River. The German name was transcribed as "Canatanheat" by missionary John Brainerd.
During the French and Indian Wars
French and Indian Wars
The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts lasting 74 years in North America that represented colonial events related to the European dynastic wars...
(Seven Years War), Native allies of the French killed 11 missionaries and Lenape (Delaware) convert
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
ed Christians at Gnadenhutten on 24 November 1755. They destroyed the mission village and only four of the fifteen residents escaped. (During the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, in 1782 Pennsylvania militia raided another Moravian mission village, also called Gnadenhutten, in present-day Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Suspecting the Lenape of being allied with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the militia killed 96 unarmed men, women and children in what became better known as the Gnadenhutten Massacre
Gnadenhütten massacre
The Gnadenhutten massacre, also known as the Moravian massacre, was the killing on March 8, 1782, during the American Revolutionary War, of 96 Christian Lenape by colonial American militia from Pennsylvania. The militia attacked Lenape at the Moravian missionary village of Gnadenhütten, Ohio.The...
.)
The Lehigh River was a source of water power for developing industries in the 19th century. Lehighton had silk and lace
Lace
Lace is an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabric, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric. Lace-making is an ancient craft. True lace was...
mills, a meat-packing house, shirt factory, automatic-press works, car shops, stoneworks, and foundries. In 1900, the population was 4,629 people. By 1940 it reached 6,615.
The coming of the railroad made it easier for businessmen to get their products to major markets. For many years the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was one of a number of railroads built in the northeastern United States primarily to haul anthracite coal.It was authorized April 21, 1846 in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and incorporated September 20, 1847 as the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad...
had a major repair facility in Lehighton. The coming of the railroad was a major economic boost for the town. It was the area's largest company, employing several thousand workers at the repair facilities or operating and maintaining the railroad. Restructuring in the railroad industry led to the repair facilities being moved to another location. Lost jobs meant that some people had to move elsewhere for work.
In typical post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
developments, the Lehighton downtown declined after Carbon Plaza Mall
Carbon Plaza Mall
Carbon Plaza Mall is a shopping mall on the south side of Route 443 in Mahoning Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States, just outside of Lehighton. It is anchored by a Giant Supermarket and a Big Lots location and has an eight-screen theatre. Other major stores include Payless...
was built in nearby Mahoning Township
Mahoning Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Mahoning Township is a township in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,978 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.7 square miles , of which, 23.6 square miles of it is land and...
. Suburban housing developed, pulling more businesses from downtown. After struggling for three decades, the downtown is experiencing a rebirth as people appreciate the qualities of a compact central location and historic architecture.
The town holds an annual civic event, "Bike Night", featuring more than 28,000 motorcyclists.
In late September through October, the Country Junction
Country Junction
The Country Junction store began in 1984 as The Service Team insulation and construction company and added hardware sales and a home center. It was renamed Country Junction in 1997 and expanded to include home, garden, gifts, and decor items....
store sponsors "The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival". It features hayrides, walks in haunted woods, and cornfield maze
Maze
A maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage through which the solver must find a route. In everyday speech, both maze and labyrinth denote a complex and confusing series of pathways, but technically the maze is distinguished from the labyrinth, as the labyrinth has a single...
s.
The town is also on a north-south bird migration pattern, and birds can be frequently seen flying south in mass in the fall. One particularly tall grey rooftop overlooking the Lehigh River on the Rt. 209 bridge is a frequent stop for migrating birds.
Geography
Lehighton is located at 40°49′55"N 75°42′53"W (40.831932, -75.714701).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (2.22%) is water. Lehighton is located 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 4,804 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carbon County. The town has been called the "Switzerland of America" due to the picturesque scenery, mountainous location, and architecture; as well as the "Gateway to...
and 8 miles (12.9 km) northwest of Palmerton
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Palmerton is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the coal region of the state. It is a part of lower Carbon County, which is considered part of the Lehigh Valley and the greater Allentown Metropolitan Area....
. Lehighton's mean elevation is 650 ft (198.6 m) but the elevation in the borough varies widely from 470 feet up to 800 feet.
Lehighton is primarily very green and hilly. Surrounding the town and enveloping its outlying communities are the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
. The Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
, providing extensive hiking along the East Coast, is located nearby and can easily be reached from the town. It is bordered on the north, west, and south by Mahoning Township
Mahoning Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Mahoning Township is a township in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,978 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.7 square miles , of which, 23.6 square miles of it is land and...
and across the Lehigh River
Lehigh River
The Lehigh River, a tributary of the Delaware River, is a river located in eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. Part of the Lehigh, along with a number of its tributaries, is designated a Pennsylvania Scenic River by the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources...
on the east by Weissport
Weissport, Pennsylvania
Weissport is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The town was founded in 1792 by Col. Jacob Weiss. This particular area was located between Lehighton, Parryville and Longrun. Soon after the town itself was established, and the first wooden bridge over the river to the town...
and Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Franklin Township is a township in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,243 at the 2000 census. A portion of Beltzville State Park, a Pennsylvania state park, is in Franklin Township.-Geography:...
.
Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing moderate snow and others bringing numerous significant snowstorms. Average snowfall is 50.4 inches (128 cm) per year, with the months of January and February receiving the highest at just over 15 and 13 inches each. Rainfall is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to twelve wet days per month, at an average annual rate of 110.54 centimetres (43.5 in).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,537 people, 2,362 households, and 1,506 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,230.8 people per square mile (1,250.2/km²). There were 2,546 housing units at an average density of 1,485.6 per square mile (574.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.32% White, 0.34% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population, but the illegal immigrant population has grown dramatically all over Pennsylvania. The plurality of Lehighton residents are of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
descent. There are also substantial populations of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, and Polish heritage. Of the German inhabitants, most can trace their ancestry to Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, Baden-Wurttemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
and the Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
.
There were 2,362 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $28,566, and the median income for a family was $35,673. Males had a median income of $30,590 versus $22,466 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $14,861. About 10.8% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Climate
Typically, summer lasts from late May until mid September. The humidity is high only for 1–2 days at a time. Winter lasts from November through March and varies greatly in length and severity. Average snowfall is 63 inches (1.6 m) per year and can occur anytime from mid-October to as late as April. Spring and autumn are both short and highly variable. The autumn foliage season is only 2–3 weeks long and is at its peak anytime from early to mid-October.Winter daytime highs average 27.8 °F (-2.3 °C) in January and the lows are 13.9 °F (-10.1 °C)
Summer daytime highs average 81.2 °F (27.3 °C) in July and the lows are 55.6 °F (13.1 °C)
Notable people
- Kerry GetzKerry GetzKerry 'Hockey Temper' Getz is an American professional skateboarder.Getz was born in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. He medaled in the 2000 and 2001 X Games and received a gold medal in the first street skateboarding X-Games event....
, pro skateboarder - Franz KlineFranz KlineFranz Jozef Kline was an American painter mainly associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement centered around New York in the 1940s and 1950s. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and attended Girard College, an academy in Philadelphia for fatherless boys...
, 20th-century artist - Denny Seiwell, professional drummer
External links
- Lehighton travel guide from WikitravelWikitravel-External links:* *...
- Borough of Lehighton
- Lehighton Area Chamber of Commerce