Category:Adams Island, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Adams Island is an artificial island in the Lehigh River in Allentown, created when the Lehigh Canal was built in 1828. The Island is located on the east side of the river between Hamilton Street and Tilghman Street, upstream of the Hamilton Street Bridge.

It was made when the canal cut through a piece of land that jutted out from the east bank of the Lehigh river to save some time in the canal construction. Canal boats entered the river upstream at Lock 39 and exited the river downstream of Adams Island at the Hamilton Street Dam (Dam 7). The stretch of river that passed Adam’s Island was a major area for commerce.

Initially called "Kletor's Island", when the canal was in full operation, many canal workers made their homes on Adams Island. Canal boats loaded and unloaded goods for Allentown. It was later used by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company to load and unload canal boats. The island was later known as "Haymaker’s Island,"

In the early 20th Century, after business declined the island was sold to the Allentown Swimming and Boating Club, created by Harry Trexler and his brother Frank. It was renamed "Adams Island" in August 1907 and wad developed into a summer resort location for its members, generally the affluent business class of the city. Adam Borski, an employee of Hess's, was the club's most active member and it is said to be for him the island is currently named. By 1910, the first bungalows were built on the island and full-time residences as well as seasonal homes were built there.

Today Adams Island has many small homes with boat docks along the riverbank. The island is still owned by the Allentown Swimming and Boating Club and is private property. There is no public access to the island and only club members are permitted access.