WFIL (560 AM ) is a radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , United States, with a Christian radio format consisting of teaching and talk programs. Owned by Salem Media Group , studios and transmitter facilities are shared with co-owned WNTP (990 AM) in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania .
105-694: WFIL transmits fulltime with 5,000 watts, using different directional antenna configurations during the day and at night. Daytime coverage includes metropolitan Philadelphia and portions of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, plus parts of New Jersey and Delaware . Sister station WMCA in New York City, on the adjacent frequency of 570 kHz, also operates with 5,000 watts, and both stations must reduce their signals toward each other in order to avoid mutual interference. On December 1, 1921,
210-517: A U.S. Department of Commerce program. The Lehigh Valley as a whole leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the 18-to-34 year old demographic, according to 2020 census data. The Lehigh Valley's population growth is partly a result of a growing influx of residents from New Jersey and New York drawn to the Lehigh Valley's lower cost of living, its employment opportunities, and its close proximity to Philadelphia and New York City,
315-581: A forty-hour work week . The Little New Deal made Earle one of the most popular politicians in the country. Earle sought election to the United States Senate in 1938, but he was defeated by incumbent Republican Senator James J. Davis . Earle was appointed as the Minister to Bulgaria in 1940 and served as a special emissary to the Balkans during World War II . He compiled a report blaming
420-478: A Republican landslide that saw Republicans re-gain control of the legislature and governorship. Pennsylvania would not elect another Democratic governor until 1954 . Earle was appointed Minister to Bulgaria on February 14, 1940, and served until December 13, 1941. During World War II , he served again in the United States Navy , this time as a lieutenant commander and as a special emissary to
525-483: A centralized Department of Public Assistance that was designed to ensure uniform allocation of relief payments. Earle's government also sought to ameliorate ongoing labor strife by increasing union bargaining rights and eliminating the private police forces operated by many of the influential coal and steel companies. Pennsylvania Turnpike construction also began during his tenure. Other bills passed include Pennsylvania's first gasoline and cigarette tax, teacher tenure, and
630-448: A dramatic related economic downturn in the region. Bethlehem Steel continued functioning on a vastly reduced scale for a period, but ultimately ceased steel manufacturing entirely at its primary Bethlehem -based manufacturing plant in 1995. In 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy protection and, in 2003, the company was dissolved. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the downturn and ultimate demise of Bethlehem Steel, once one of
735-594: A few other cities were unable to come to an agreement, and engaged in "jamming wars".) In the race to be the first department store on the air, WFI's formal debut broadcasts were made on March 18, starting with a 10:16 a.m. speech by John F. Braun, president of the Art Alliance and the Music League. Additional programming featured speeches by William C. Sproul , Governor of Pennsylvania, J. Hampton Moore , Mayor of Philadelphia, Mrs. H. S. Prentiss Nichols of
840-491: A friendlier regulatory environment, provide the area with a comparatively favorable business climate compared to surrounding metropolitan areas. Due in large part to this comparably favorable business climate and mature business support programs, the Lehigh Valley has been very successful in luring established businesses as well as new startup companies from higher cost areas such as New York and New Jersey, generating thousands of new jobs and significant new investments in
945-423: A global leader in steel and other heavy manufacturing industries, which represented a considerable portion of its employment and economic production for most of the 20th century. Beginning in the early 1980s, however, the region's heavy manufacturing sector experienced a rapid downfall, highlighted by the downsizing and ultimate closure of Bethlehem Steel , the world's second-largest steel manufacturer for much of
1050-506: A maximum forty-hour work week. Earle's administration relaxed Pennsylvania's Blue laws , passed the nation's first milk control law, and outlawed company police forces hired by mining companies. Earle's "Little New Deal" earned him a place on the cover of Time magazine in 1937, and a Gallup poll that same year saw him named the nation's third most popular Democrat (after the president and vice president). However, Earle also became known for his mercurial temperament and his administration
1155-482: A movement to reestablish manufacturing activities in the U.S., driven by customer demand for American-made products, faster product delivery, increased overseas wages, and inflated costs and extended timeframes for shipping has led to some renewed growth in the Valley's manufacturing sector. Several large companies from China and Germany have invested tens of millions of dollars into developing significant operations in
SECTION 10
#17327730837701260-744: A musical program from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and baseball scores from 5:30 to 6 p.m. On 485 meters, the station broadcast produce market and live stock reports at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. In late September 1922, the Department of Commerce set aside a second entertainment wavelength, 400 meters (750 kHz) for "Class B" stations that had quality equipment and programming, and WFI was assigned use of this more exclusive wavelength, joining WOO, and later joined by WDAR and WIP. WFI's March 27, 1923 time slots were 1:15 to 2:00 p.m., 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. for entertainment programs on 400 meters, plus agricultural reports at 10 a.m. and during
1365-462: A popular maker of juice drinks and other fruit products, produces 40 percent of its total national beverage volume at its Lehigh Valley plant in Breinigsville. Due to Pennsylvania's lack of an excise tax on cigars and the Lehigh Valley's close proximity to major markets, the region is home to some of the nation's largest cigar distributors and retailers. The largest retail shopping area in
1470-511: A population of 873,555 as of 2023. Lehigh County is among Pennsylvania's fastest-growing counties, and the Lehigh Valley leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, which constitutes a significant portion of the labor workforce . The region's core population centers are located in southern and central Lehigh and Northampton counties along Interstate 78 , Interstate 476 , Pennsylvania Route 309 , and U.S. Route 22 . The Lehigh Valley has historically been
1575-693: A soft adult contemporary format by then). Soon thereafter, the FM became WEAZ-FM so that WFIL could become WEAZ. In September 1991, the AM launched a mostly automated "beautiful music" format known as "Wish", a play on the old WWSH station which had a similar format in Philadelphia back in the 1970s. Then on May 26, 1993, WEAZ became WBEB while WEAZ-FM became WBEB-FM. The AM station was sold for $ 4 million in October 1993 to Salem Communications (which had almost bought
1680-743: A submarine chaser which was also his private yacht. Though raised a Republican , Earle joined the Democrats out of dissatisfaction with the Republican Party's handling of the Great Depression . He campaigned for Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election and served as the U.S. Minister to Austria from 1933 to 1934. In this role, he warned the Roosevelt administration of the rising danger presented by Nazi Germany . Earle defeated Republican William A. Schnader in
1785-410: Is Allentown , the third-largest city in Pennsylvania and the county seat of Lehigh County, with a population of 125,845 residents as of the 2020 census . The Allentown– Bethlehem – Easton metropolitan area, which includes the Lehigh Valley, is Pennsylvania's third-most populous metropolitan area after those of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , and the nation's 67th-largest metropolitan area with
1890-540: Is expected to have a total size of 1,100,000 square feet (100,000 m ) square feet and employ over 3,000 people. The Boston Beer Company operates its largest U.S. production brewery facility in Breinigsville in the Lehigh Valley, which produces over 2/3rds of all Samuel Adams beer globally. The company continues to upgrade and expand operations at this facility and has cited the location as central to its overall corporate success. Additionally, Ocean Spray ,
1995-453: Is located geographically within a one-day drive to over a third of the U.S. population and over half of Canada's population, which has been a factor in its 21st century emergence as a North American leader in light manufacturing and commercial distribution . Gains in these and other industries have helped offset the significant losses the region had experienced from its late 20th century decline in heavy manufacturing. Since its settlement in
2100-407: Is located within the U.S. Northeast megalopolis with ease of access and close proximity to many of the nation's largest population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including New York City , the nation's largest city , which is 90 miles (140 km) to its east, and Philadelphia , the nation's sixth-most populous city, which is 60 miles (97 km) to its southeast. The region
2205-532: Is one of the fastest-growing and largest economies in Pennsylvania with a total GDP of $ 43.8 billion that saw a five percent increase between 2016 and 2017 alone driven by strong manufacturing, financial, health care, and professional services industry segments. It is centrally located in the Northeast megalopolis with ease of access and close proximity to several of the largest U.S. markets, population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including
SECTION 20
#17327730837702310-592: Is sometimes referred to as the nation's "second Inland Empire " for freight. Large national companies that own and operate warehouses and distribution centers in the Lehigh Valley include Amazon.com , B. Braun , Boston Beer Company (brewer of Samuel Adams brand beer), BMW , Bridgestone , FedEx SmartPost , FedEx Ground , Home Depot , J. C. Penney , Nestlé Purina , ShopRite , Stitch Fix , The Coca-Cola Company , Ocean Spray , Phillips Pet Food and Supplies, True Value , Uline , Zulily , and others. Most of these warehouses and distribution centers are located along
2415-609: The 1934 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election . As governor, he introduced an ambitious "Little New Deal" that sought to combat the effects of the Great Depression. Among other policies, his administration created a centralized Department of Public Assistance, eliminated the private police forces operated by several coal and steel companies, began construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike , instituted Pennsylvania's first gasoline and cigarette tax, and established
2520-527: The 1934 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election . Though Earle faced a split legislature in the first half of his term, his party gained control of both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature in the 1936 election. An ardent Roosevelt admirer, Earle rolled out an ambitious "Little New Deal", which resulted in the introduction of a record 3514 bills during the 1935-36 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly . His administration created
2625-749: The 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment , which was established on August 5 and later proved influential in expanding the Union Army's reach into the Deep South , permitting it to launch successful attacks against Confederate positions in the Battle of St. Johns Bluff in 1862 and throughout the Red River campaign in the Trans-Mississippi theater and Sheridan 's Shenadoah Valley campaign across Virginia in 1864. These victories helped to tip
2730-632: The Balkans . In 1943 Earl was the special envoy of the President as naval attaché in neutral Istanbul . He proposed a plan that he believed might bring the war in Europe to an early end. The German ambassador in Istanbul Franz von Papen and the head of Abwehr Wilhelm Canaris had secretly proposed a coup against Adolf Hitler that would end with Hitler turned over to the US as a war criminal , but
2835-565: The Coal Region , Lehigh and Northampton counties in the Lehigh Valley, and Warren County in the Skylands region of northwest New Jersey . As of 2023 census estimates, it is the 67th-largest metropolitan area in the nation with a population of 873,555. In July 2023, the area was added to the newly created Allentown - Bethlehem - East Stroudsburg PA-NJ Combined Statistical Area (CSA). This area also includes Monroe County in
2940-745: The Great Depression , feeding ports up and down the Delaware River , the Pennsylvania Canal , and transoceanic demand, and was integral to the industrialization of the greater Delaware Valley region. The Morris Canal , the 22–23 miles (35–37 km) anthracite coal feeder of the Delaware and Raritan Canal . and locks at New Hope on the Delaware Canal were built to fuel anthracite energy needs of Trenton , Newark , Jersey City , and New York City. In 1899, Bethlehem Steel
3045-576: The Great Depression . After campaigning for Franklin Roosevelt in the 1932 election , Earle served as Ambassador to Austria from July 24, 1933 until March 25, 1934. Earle looked warily upon the Nazi Party , and warned the FDR Administration of the potential danger of Nazi Germany . Although Pennsylvania had not elected a Democratic governor in over forty years, Earle defeated Republican Attorney General William A. Schnader in
3150-733: The Katyn massacre of Polish intelligentsia on the Soviet Union , but this report was suppressed. After the war, he served as assistant governor of American Samoa . He retired from public office and died in 1974. Earle was born in Devon, Pennsylvania to George Howard Earle Jr. and Catharine Hansell French, a wealthy family that traced its lineage in America to the arrival of the Mayflower . His grandmother Mrs. Frances ("Fanny") Van Leer
3255-633: The Lehigh River in Lehigh and Northampton counties in eastern Pennsylvania . It is a component valley of the Great Appalachian Valley bounded to its north by Blue Mountain , to its south by South Mountain , to its west by Lebanon Valley , and to its east by the Delaware River and Warren County, New Jersey . The Lehigh Valley is about 40 miles (64 km) long and 20 miles (32 km) wide. The Lehigh Valley's largest city
WFIL - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-763: The Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg, PA-NJ CSA had a population of 1,030,216, the 59th-largest CSA in the nation. The Lehigh Valley has four distinct seasons, which typically include hot and humid summers, cold winters, and short and mild springs and falls. It has a humid continental climate ( Dfa / Dfb ) and the hardiness zone ranges from 5b in higher elevation locations in northern Carbon County to 6b (the principal zone in Lehigh , Northampton , and southern Warren Counties). The 1991-2020 hardiness zone for
3465-819: The Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City and Merchandise Mart in Chicago . Among major bridges, the company's steel was used to construct the George Washington Bridge and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco , and the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario . The Roosevelt administration relied heavily on Bethlehem Steel during World War II , utilizing
3570-472: The 18th century, the Lehigh Valley has been the birthplace or home to several notable Americans who have proven influential across a broad range of fields, including academia, art and music, business, government and politics, the military, professional and Olympic -level athletics, and other fields. The Lehigh Valley was settled over the first half of the 18th century largely by German immigrants fleeing war and religious persecution . Prior to their arrival,
3675-464: The 1960s, both underwent a format evolution as AM radio faded as a music medium, and both have a Christian/religious format today. Both stations also maintained Call For Action telephone help lines , being among the first radio stations in the United States to do so. The telephone number of WFIL's Call For Action line was GReenwood 7-5312. (Under the present-day North American Numbering Plan ,
3780-463: The 1980s, however, the region's manufacturing sector declined rapidly as a result of foreign competition, trade practices, operational costs, regulations, and other factors. The most prominent example was the plight of Bethlehem Steel , the world' second-largest manufacturer of steel for much of the 20th century. Headquartered in Bethlehem , Bethlehem Steel abruptly suspended most of its operations in
3885-415: The 20th century, Bethlehem Steel 's ascent was prominently associated with the emergence of the U.S. as both a world leader in global manufacturing and as the world's largest economy, and its late 20th century downfall has often been cited as an example of one of the nation's most prominent first stumbling points in the face of growing foreign trade competition and other economic challenges that contributed to
3990-478: The 20th century, and other Lehigh Valley–based manufacturing companies. The Lehigh Valley's economy struggled considerably before ultimately rebounding and since emerging in the 21st century as one of Pennsylvania's largest and fastest-growing economies. As of 2021, the Lehigh Valley's gross domestic product (GDP) is $ 50.960 billion, driven by diverse industry sector contributions from its finance, manufacturing, health care, and education, and information sectors. In
4095-548: The 21st century, the region also has emerged as a national center for the U.S. logistics industry, especially in warehousing and intermodal transport . The region's primary commercial airport is Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township ; the airport's air traffic has grown considerably in the 21st century, largely as a result of considerable growth in its commercial air cargo traffic, which exceeded 210 million pounds in 2016. The Lehigh Valley
4200-517: The Arena, the first broadcast facility in the nation specifically designed for television broadcasting. It was in this new broadcast center that Triangle began broadcasting Bandstand (later called American Bandstand ), first with Bob Horn , then with Dick Clark as host. Clark started on WFIL radio as a disc jockey in 1952, arriving from Utica, New York . He continued hosting the TV program for 31 years,
4305-812: The Battle of Trenton, Washington returned to the city and region several additional times during and following the Revolution. Allentown also played a historical role in protecting the Liberty Bell from British capture following the fall of Philadelphia to the British Army on September 26, 1777, concealing the Liberty Bell for nine months from September 1777 to June 1778 under floor boards in Allentown's Zion Reformed Church . After Washington and
WFIL - Misplaced Pages Continue
4410-751: The Civil War in the Union's favor. On October 19, 1899, a monument in honor of the Lehigh Valley men killed in their volunteer service to the Union 's preservation, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was erected at Seventh and Hamilton streets in Center City Allentown , where it still stands. The opening of the Lehigh Canal in 1827 contributed significantly to transforming Allentown and
4515-570: The Continental Army's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia was left defenseless and Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council , anticipating Philadelphia's fall, ordered that eleven Philadelphia bells, including the Liberty Bell, then known as the State House Bell, be taken down and moved to present-day Allentown, which was then called Northampton Towne. In Allentown,
4620-491: The Lehigh Valley from a rural agricultural area dominated by German -speaking people into one of the nation's first urbanized industrialized areas. The Lehigh Valley underwent significant industrialization throughout the 19th and most of the 20th centuries and was a major manufacturing hub in the American Industrial Revolution . The Lehigh Valley is named for the Lehigh River , which runs through
4725-559: The Lehigh Valley in the Walking Purchase during the colonial period . Lenape Indians subsequently retaliated with raids against European settlers in the region throughout the 1750s and early 1760s, but were moved out of the region by the mid-1760s. In 1752, the region became part of Northampton County , and Lehigh County was later separated from Northampton County and formally established in 1812. Allentown and its surrounding communities played an important and historic role in
4830-800: The Lehigh Valley is the PA Route 145/MacArthur Road corridor, just north of Allentown in Whitehall Township , which is anchored by Lehigh Valley Mall and Whitehall Mall . Other Lehigh Valley malls include Palmer Park Mall in Easton, South Mall in Salisbury Township , and Westgate Mall in Bethlehem. In October 2006, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley , located off Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township in
4935-413: The Lehigh Valley was recognized by Site Selection magazine as the second-best performing region of its size for economic development in the nation and the best performing region in the Northeast U.S. . It was ranked by Fortune in 2015 as one of the top 10 best places in the U.S. to locate corporate finance and information technology operations, including call and IT support centers. Allentown,
5040-641: The Lehigh Valley's largest city, was cited as a "national success story" in April 2016 by the Urban Land Institute for its downtown redevelopment and transformation that has led to $ 1 billion worth of new development projects there between 2015 and 2019, one of only six communities nationally to achieve this distinction. The Lehigh Valley is one of the leading areas on the East Coast for warehouses and distribution centers . Because of this, it
5145-529: The Lehigh Valley, opened. The Promenade is roughly half the size of the Lehigh Valley Mall but features higher end stores not available in Lehigh Valley Mall. In 2011, The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem opened at Wind Creek Bethlehem in Bethlehem, becoming the Lehigh Valley's first outlet mall. The Lehigh Valley is part of the Philadelphia television market, the nation's fourth-largest television market, and also receives television stations from
5250-849: The Lehigh Valley, which has generated thousands of new jobs in the region. As of 2024, the Lehigh Valley's five top private sector employers are: 1.) Lehigh Valley Health Network (headquartered in Allentown ); 2.) St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network (headquartered in Fountain Hill ); 3.) Amazon (with a 1,100,000 ft (335,280.0 m) square foot facility in Palmer Township ); 4.) Mack Trucks (with manufacturing headquarters in Macungie ); and 5.) Air Products (globally headquartered in Trexlertown ). The Lehigh Valley
5355-634: The Liberty Bell and other bells were hidden under floorboards at Zion Reformed Church on West Hamilton Street to protect them from being seized and melted down by the British Army for use as munitions. The region again proved influential in the American Civil War . Following the Union Army 's defeat at the Battle of Fort Sumter and Lincoln's April 15, 1861 proclamation calling for state militia to provide 75,000 volunteers to defend
SECTION 50
#17327730837705460-526: The New York City and Scranton / Wilkes-Barre television markets. Lehigh Valley–based stations include WBPH-TV , a Christian television licensed to Bethlehem with studios in Allentown, WFMZ-TV , an independent commercial television station on South Mountain in Allentown, and WLVT-TV , the PBS station licensed to Allentown with studios in Bethlehem. George Howard Earle III George Howard Earle III (December 5, 1890 – December 30, 1974)
5565-474: The New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. The Lehigh Valley is within a one-day drive to over a third of the U.S. population and to over half the population of Canada . The Valley has a lower cost of living, more affordable real estate, lower taxes, and a larger and more affordable labor pool than many other Northeastern U.S. metropolitan regions. These attributes and others, including sizable investments in business development incentive programs and
5670-612: The Revolution, establishing the first hospitals for treatment of wounded Continental Army troops at various city locations, including at the current location of the Farr Building at 739 Hamilton Street . As the Revolutionary War progressed, Washington and his commanders also established two POW camps in Allentown, one at 8th and Hamilton streets and another on Gordon Street, to house captured Hessian mercenaries . In addition to visiting Allentown after his victory at
5775-457: The State Committee of Education, and Horace Groskin of the "Talk Philadelphia Week" Committee. The Gimbel Brothers station, WIP, made its formal debut the same day beginning at 11:00 a.m., although it also reported that it had made unspecified preliminary transmissions beginning at 9:00 a.m. the previous day. Under the local timesharing agreement, WFI's August 17, 1922 schedule on 360 meters consisted of "Late news Items" at 1:16 p.m.,
5880-405: The U.S. Department of Commerce, in charge of radio at the time, adopted a regulation formally establishing a broadcasting station category, which set aside the wavelength of 360 meters (833 kHz) for entertainment broadcasts, and 485 meters (619 kHz) for market and weather reports. Philadelphia's first broadcasting station, WGL, was licensed on February 8, 1922 to Thomas F. J. Howlett. This
5985-412: The United States entered World War I , Earle commanded USS Victor , a submarine chaser which was also his private yacht. He earned the Navy Cross in 1918 after averting a fatal explosion. After the war, Earle returned to private business, particularly in the sugar industry. Though raised as a Republican, Earle joined the Democratic Party over disillusionment with the Republican Party's handling of
6090-460: The Valley's north and South Mountain in the Valley's south. The Lehigh Valley is the lower part of the drainage basin of the Lehigh River. The Lehigh Valley has three principal cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The region is located between two of the nation's largest population centers, 90 miles (140 km) west of New York City , the nation's largest and world's 11th-largest city, and 60 miles (97 km) north of Philadelphia ,
6195-442: The Valley's southern U.S. Route 22 , Interstate 78 , and Interstate 476 corridors, which provide direct access to numerous major markets throughout the Northeast U.S. and beyond. In September 2018, FedEx Ground constructed their largest distribution hub in the country near Lehigh Valley International Airport at a cost of $ 335 million. This hub can process up to 45,000 packages per hour and employs over 2,000 people. By 2030, it
6300-404: The airport and lower elevations is 7a. The Lehigh Valley has a total population of 861,889 residents as of the 2020 U.S. census , making it the third-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania and 68th-largest metropolitan area in the nation. A 2018 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau found that 87.1% of the Lehigh Valley's population was White American , 4.6%
6405-423: The area include transportation, retail trade, and restaurants and hospitality. As of 2020, the Lehigh Valley's total gross domestic product was $ 42.9 billion. The Lehigh Valley is known historically for its production of steel , Portland cement , silk , and apparel . Bethlehem Steel , founded in 1899 and based in Bethlehem, was a foundation of the Lehigh Valley's economy for nearly a century from 1899 through
SECTION 60
#17327730837706510-921: The area's rapid growth, lower operational business costs, and its proximity to popular destinations as significant reasons for expanding their Lehigh Valley International Airport flights. Other large national and international companies either based in the Lehigh Valley or with significant operations there include Broadcom Corporation (in Allentown), Avantor Performance Materials (in Allentown), Air Products (in Trexlertown ), Crayola (in Easton), Buckeye Partners (in Emmaus ), HeidelbergCement (in Fogelsville ), Just Born (in Bethlehem, maker of Peeps candies), Mack Trucks (in Allentown), Martin Guitar (in Nazareth ), Olympus Corporation (in Center Valley ), OraSure Technologies (in Bethlehem), PPL Corporation (in Allentown), Wind Creek Bethlehem (in Bethlehem), Dun & Bradstreet (in Center Valley), Victaulic (in Easton), and others. In 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019,
6615-404: The company to produce the steel necessary for shipbuilding, ammunition, and other military equipment that proved essential to the Allies ' ability to prevail in these conflicts. In the late 20th century, however, a variety of factors, including the practices of foreign competitors, began eroding Bethlehem Steel's once historical global leadership in steelmaking . In 1982, the company announced it
6720-400: The downward trend. The station switched to an " oldies " format in September 1983, called "The Boss is Back", with a new line up of "Boss Jocks", playing the hits of 1955 through 1973. This format lasted until April 8, 1987, when new owner WEAZ Inc. discontinued locally originated music programming in favor of Transtar's "Oldies Channel", a satellite-delivered service. The end of live programming
6825-484: The early 1980s, declared bankruptcy in 2001, and was dissolved in 2003. Since the late 20th century, the Lehigh Valley has begun to recover from the loss of its once powerful manufacturing base and other industry sectors have emerged in the region, providing a more diversified regional economy. As of 2020, the Valley's top five industries were finance, manufacturing, health care and education, professional and business services, and information. Other major industry sectors in
6930-427: The early 1980s. At the pinnacle of its success, Bethlehem Steel was the nation's second-largest and one of the world's largest steel manufacturers. Bethlehem Steel was instrumental in the development of many of the nation's most prominent 20th century infrastructure projects. Its steel was used to build 28 Liberty Street , Chrysler Building , the Empire State Building , Madison Square Garden , Rockefeller Center , and
7035-472: The early afternoon on 485 meters. In May 1923 additional "Class B" frequencies were made available, which included two Philadelphia allocations, with WFI and WDAR assigned to 760 kHz (395 meters) on a timesharing basis, while WOO and WIP were assigned to the second Philadelphia Class B frequency, 590 kHz. WDAR's call sign was changed to WLIT in early 1925. As of May 31, 1927 both WFI and WLIT were assigned to 740 kHz. On November 11, 1928, as part of
7140-442: The emergence of the American Revolution . Some of the first resistance to British colonialism began in Allentown and its surrounding Lehigh County communities in the Lehigh Valley. As early as June 21, 1774, patriot forces in Allentown began meeting to formulate resistance plans to British colonial governance. On December 21, 1774, a Committee of Observation was formally established by Allentown-area patriot militias. Following
7245-407: The fall of 1977. At some point after that, the WFIL studios were relocated to Domino Lane in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia; they moved into the building of FM station WUSL , which WFIL owner LIN Broadcasting had acquired in late 1976. Growing competition from FM stations in this period did serious damage to WFIL's ratings. In September 1981 country music was tried, but this failed to reverse
7350-429: The first buildings constructed specifically for television broadcasting, as well as being the site for American Bandstand . In February 1964, Triangle moved the WFIL stations to a new state-of-the-art broadcast center at the corner of City Line Avenue and Monument Road in Philadelphia, from which WPVI continues to broadcast. Starting on September 18, 1966, WFIL began playing " Top 40 " rock and roll . It quickly became
7455-412: The first half of 1922 were WOO (licensed March 18, 1922 to John Wanamaker ), WIP (now WTEL , licensed March 20, 1922 to Gimbel Brothers ), and WDAR (licensed May 20, 1922 to the Lit Brothers ). Because at this time 360 meters was the only designated broadcasting wavelength, WFI had to operate within the restrictions of a timesharing arrangement with the other local stations. (Occasionally stations in
7560-521: The first time on July 8, 1776 at noon. Following their victory at the Battle of Trenton several months later, Washington and his Continental Army staff traveled through the present-day Lehigh Valley, proceeding up Lehigh Street , which was then called Water Street. Washington and his staff stopped at the foot of Lehigh Street at a large spring on what is the present-day Wire Mill Arboretum in Allentown. They rested there, watered their horses, and then proceeded to their post of duty. Allentown supported
7665-463: The heavy manufacturing companies that had been the region's foundation for decades, the Lehigh Valley began developing other economic sectors, including financial services, health care, life sciences, and technology. The Lehigh Valley also began emerging as a national warehouse and distribution hub, due in part to its proximity to many of the largest U.S. markets and relatively lower operating costs compared to other Northeast U.S. regions. More recently,
7770-516: The implementation of a major nationwide reallocation under the provisions of the Federal Radio Commission 's General Order 40 , WFI and WLIT were reassigned to a "regional" frequency, 560 kHz. By the late 1920s, WFI and WLIT, although licensed separately, were working jointly on various programs, promotions, and sponsorship efforts. In 1935, the two operators agreed to merge, with each department store having representation on
7875-592: The last 30 as a national show carried by the ABC Television Network . Clark moved the program to Hollywood in 1964. Shortly after Clark's emergence on the national stage, he became a major figure in the early days of rock and roll as "Bandstand" proved pivotal in helping promote the major stars of the era. The WFIL studio at 4548 Market Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 for its significance as one of
7980-1136: The late 1930s and early 1940s, until WIP became a primary Mutual station. Starting in December 1944 the station produced Hayloft Hoedown , picked up by ABC Radio in 1945. WFIL was purchased in 1947 by Walter Annenberg 's Triangle Publications , which also owned The Philadelphia Inquirer . By then WFIL was an affiliate of the newly named ABC Radio Network . WFIL's sister stations under Triangle Publications ownership were WFIL-FM and WFIL-TV in Philadelphia; WNHC AM - FM - TV in New Haven, Connecticut ; KFRE AM -FM- TV in Fresno, California ; WFBG AM - FM - TV in Altoona, Pennsylvania ; WNBF AM -FM- TV in Binghamton, New York ; and WLYH-TV in Lancaster / Lebanon, Pennsylvania . Triangle Publications sold WFIL AM-FM-TV to Capital Cities Broadcasting in 1971 with
8085-427: The most iconic and prominent symbols of American global economic power and leadership, emerged as an example cited by those who believe American global economic leadership is now in either gradual or even rapid descent. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Lehigh Valley the ninth-best place in the nation to retire. Also in 2023, realtor.com ranked the Lehigh Valley "the 21st hottest housing market" in
8190-496: The most successful non-RKO "Boss Radio" formatted station, known locally as "The Pop Explosion". The original line up of air personalities, or "Boss Jocks" had the following schedules: 6-10 am: Chuck Browning; 10am-2pm: Jay Cook; 2-6pm: Jim Nettleton ("Diamond Jim" Nettleton); 6-10pm: George Michael ("King George" Michael); 10pm-2am: Long John Wade; 2-6am: Dave Parks ("Dave the Rave" Parks). Weekends featured Frank Kingston Smith. WIBG
8295-464: The nation's sixth-largest and world's 68th-largest city. The region borders Carbon County and the Coal Region to its north, the Delaware River and Warren County, New Jersey to its east, Bucks and Montgomery Counties in suburban Philadelphia to its south, and Berks and Schuylkill Counties to its west. The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area is a Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes Carbon County in
8400-437: The nation's emergence of its Rust Belt . In 1982, following nearly a century of global leadership, growth, and profitability in steel manufacturing, Bethlehem Steel abruptly reported operating losses of $ 1.5 billion, citing foreign competition from Asian economies and costly U.S. governmental regulations and labor costs for the losses. The company abruptly reduced operations, resulting in considerable Lehigh Valley layoffs and
8505-461: The nation's sixth and largest cities, respectively. The Valley's population is expected to increase by 227,000 people by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the state and nation. Median household income for the region increased from $ 57,288 to $ 62,507 between 2015 and 2019. The Lehigh Valley's economy has been known historically and globally for its leadership throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in heavy manufacturing. Beginning in
8610-476: The nation. The Lehigh Valley is geologically and geographically part of the Great Appalachian Valley , a geographic region made up of limestone that stretches along the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains . The Lehigh Valley is so named because it is located geographically within an actual valley formed by the Lehigh River that lies between two mountain ridges, Blue Mountain in
8715-610: The national capital in Washington, D.C. , Allentown immediately deployed its Allen Infantry, which defended Washington, D.C. from Confederate attack following Fort Sumter 's fall. Also known as the Allen Guards, the Allen Infantry mustered in for duty on April 18, 1861. During the late summer and early fall of 1861, members of this unit and other volunteers from within and beyond the Lehigh Valley came together to form
8820-437: The new board of directors. WLIT's final broadcast ended at 9:00 pm. on January 21, 1935. WFI's call sign was changed to WFIL, a combination of the two previous ones, which also resulted in a phonetic spelling of the first syllable of "Philadelphia". WFIL's three-hour debut broadcast came immediately after WLIT's final sign-off. It again featured a speech by Mayor Moore, along with the current governor, George Earle . The new WFIL
8925-727: The plot was not approved by the US government. In 1944, President Roosevelt assigned Earle to compile information on the Katyń massacre , the massacre of the Polish intelligentsia by the Soviet government. Earle did so, using contacts in Bulgaria and Romania , and concluded that the Soviet Union was guilty. After consulting with Elmer Davis , the director of the Office of War Information , Roosevelt rejected Earle's conclusion, saying that he
9030-411: The primary telephone numbering plan in the United States, this number would have corresponded to (215) 477-5312.) In November 1987 FM stations WOGL and WIOQ both adopted oldies formats and quickly won the majority of the oldies audience. The Oldies Channel format continued with minimal success and listenership until 1989, when WFIL quietly began simulcasting sister station Easy 101.1 WEAZ (which had
9135-587: The radio stations spun off to new owners, WFIL to LIN Broadcasting and WFIL-FM to Richer Communications which changed the call letters to WIOQ . WFIL-TV took on the new call letters of WPVI-TV . Studios for the early WFIL radio stations were in the Widener Building in downtown Philadelphia. Under Triangle Publications' ownership the stations were moved to a new broadcast facility at 46th and Market Street in West Philadelphia adjacent to
9240-722: The ratings books in nearby Wilmington, Delaware, where it has an excellent signal. In addition, WFIL was a popular listening choice in Reading and Allentown, both in Pennsylvania. WFIL announcers heard in later years of the Top 40 era included Dr. Don Rose, Jim O'Brien (who later also became a WPVI-TV weather broadcaster and station personality), Dan Donovan, J. J. Jeffrey , Dick Heatherton, Tom Dooley, "Tiny" Tom Tyler, Mitch "K.C." Hill, "Big" Ron O'Brien, Kris Chandler, Geoff Richards, Joel Denver, Brother Lee Love (Alan Smith), and Banana Joe Montione. The format evolved into adult contemporary in
9345-523: The region was inhabited by Lenape Indian tribes, who hunted, fished, and quarried jasper in the region. The region was initially established in 1682 as part of Bucks County . Shelter House in Emmaus , constructed in 1734 by Pennsylvania German settlers, is the oldest still-standing building structure in the Lehigh Valley and believed to be one of the oldest in the state. In 1737, sons of provincial Pennsylvania founder William Penn acquired much of
9450-561: The region. Large companies such as Amazon.com have praised the Lehigh Valley for its commitment to business support, infrastructure investment, and incentive programs, citing these as major reasons for their continuing expansions and increased hiring in the region and Allegiant Air , a low-cost budget airline, opened a new flight base at the Lehigh Valley International Airport in February 2020, noting
9555-465: The region. It owes much of its development and history to anthracite coal , timber , and ore that was only commercially possible with the development of the Lehigh Canal and the Lehigh Valley's extensive railway infrastructure that permitted these minerals and later the region's manufactured steel to be transported for sale in major national and overseas markets. The Lehigh Canal operated into
9660-610: The signing of the Declaration of Independence , the Colonial British government in Allentown began dissolving and these patriot militias seized control, pressuring Tories out of the region. In recognition of the strong pro-revolutionary sentiment in the region, Easton was one of only three designated locations, along with Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey , where the Declaration was read aloud in public for
9765-476: The station three years earlier for $ 6.5 million but backed out of the deal at the last minute) and on November 1, 1993, the station was renamed WPHY, with a religious format focusing on Christian talk and teaching. WBEB-FM then became WBEB and to this day, continues on with its adult contemporary format. The Christian teaching and talk format is still in use today. After a TV station in South Carolina
9870-486: Was Black or African American, 0.1% was American Indian , 2.3% was Asian American, 0.1% was Native Hawaiian , 0.1% were Pacific Islander Americans , 4.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% belonged to two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 11.3% of the population and represent the Lehigh Valley's fastest-growing demographic. Lehigh County is in the top 1% of all U.S. counties for inward migration from international locations, according to Select USA ,
9975-464: Was WFIL's main rock 'n roll rival in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In its rock-and-roll heyday, WFIL was known colloquially as "Famous 56" and employed the slogan "Rockin' in the Cradle of Liberty." Its 5000-watt transmitter enabled its signal to be heard as far away at times as Staten Island , the southernmost borough of New York City. During its top 40 years, WFIL also consistently showed strongly in
10080-679: Was a member of one of the first Pennsylvania families, the Van Leer family and his great-grandfather Samuel Van Leer played an important role in the American Revolutionary War . He received a degree from Harvard University and subsequently worked abroad in a family-owned sugar business. He enlisted in the military in 1916 and was assigned to the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition . After
10185-560: Was an American politician and diplomat from Pennsylvania. He was a member of the prominent Earle and Van Leer families and the 30th governor of Pennsylvania from 1935 to 1939. Earle was one of just two Democrats who served as governor of Pennsylvania between the Civil War and World War II . The son of prominent attorney George Howard Earle Jr. , Earle worked in his family's sugar business after graduating from Harvard University . During World War I , he commanded USS Victor ,
10290-560: Was an affiliate of NBC ; some sources say the station never became established as either a "basic Red" or " basic Blue " outlet, but at least one early WFIL advertisement claimed that it was a "basic Blue" station. Westinghouse 's KYW had replaced WFI-WLIT as the NBC primary for Philadelphia when it moved in from Chicago, Illinois, a few years before. WFIL had a secondary affiliation with the Mutual Broadcasting System in
10395-541: Was convinced of the responsibility of Nazi Germany , and ordered Earle's report suppressed. At this time, the United States and Soviet Union were still fighting Nazi Germany and Japan. When Earle formally requested permission to publish his findings, the President gave him a written order to desist. Earle was reassigned and spent the rest of World War II in American Samoa . After the war, Earle served as assistant governor of American Samoa , and then returned to
10500-408: Was discontinuing most of its operations. In 2001, the company declared bankruptcy. In 2003, it was dissolved. Throughout the late 20th century, other heavy manufacturing companies in the Lehigh Valley that once served as backbones for the region's economy suffered similarly, either downsizing significantly or dissolving, which destabilized the region considerably. In the early 2000s, seeking to replace
10605-464: Was followed by a scramble among four of the city's department stores to become the first to establish its own station. On March 18, 1922 Strawbridge & Clothier was issued a license, with the randomly assigned call letters WFI, for a new station operating on the 360 meter "entertainment" wavelength. The station later received an additional authorization for market reports on 485 meters. The other three Philadelphia department store stations authorized in
10710-773: Was formed in Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley. The company developed into the nation's second-largest manufacturer of steel , and its steel was used in developing many of the nation's earliest and largest infrastructure and building projects, including the Empire State Building , Madison Square Garden , and Rockefeller Center in New York City, Merchandise Mart in Chicago , the George Washington , Verrazzano , and Golden Gate Bridges, and warships and other military equipment that proved essential in American-led victories in both World Wars. During
10815-432: Was marked by a production piece consisting of a portion of the song American City Suite by Terry Cashman and Tommy West interspersed with old WFIL airchecks. The "Epilogue to WFIL" was produced by Charlie Mills, who at the time was working cross-town at WPEN, and had been an avid fan of WFIL during his teen years. Sister station WMCA (at 570) in New York City has had a similar history: both were Top 40 stations in
10920-523: Was plagued by high-profile corruption charges involving his top officials. Earle's poor relationship with the state's judicial hierarchy resulted in one of his central policy goals, the imposition of a graduated income tax, being declared unconstitutional. Earle, who was constitutionally ineligible to run for a second consecutive term as governor, ran for the Senate in 1938 , but lost to incumbent Republican James J. Davis . Earle's loss to Davis coincided with
11025-413: Was randomly assigned the calls, but decided not to use them when signing-on, Salem reclaimed the historic call sign, and the call letters returned to WFIL on September 6, 1994. Lehigh Valley 40°42′N 75°30′W / 40.700°N 75.500°W / 40.700; -75.500 The Lehigh Valley ( / ˈ l iː h aɪ / ) is a geographic and metropolitan region formed by
#769230