Originally settled by Dutch and German immigrants, “Die Wind Kapf” was once a center for slate mining. Now it's a small, quiet town in the midst of the Appalachian wilderness, a stop for hikers and a home for folks who commute to larger cities. Along with rural attractions like flea markets and car shows, Wind Gap is close to some of the Slate Belt's most impressive artistic contributions and has seen plenty of historical players pass through on their way across the mountains.
Known For:
A Hiking Hot Spot
Located about 15 miles north of the Lehigh Valley, Wind Gap is known as “The Gateway to the Poconos.” It sits near a space in the Appalachians once used by Indians, colonists and military expeditions to go easily to and fro.
Though it once connected slate country and the steel town of Bethlehem, the area now attracts hikers as both a stop along the Appalachian Trail and a spot near educational parks like Jacobsburg.
Denizens of Wind Gap are just 10 minutes from this beautiful spot, with more than 18 miles of scenic trails and 2.5 miles of the Bushkill Creek and its tributary, Sobers Run, flowing through it. From beautiful old forests to meadows to rocky climbs, Jacobsburg is a great place for picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding or just meandering through waiting for a glimpse of forest life like deer, squirrels and butterflies.
Then, of course, there's the access to the Appalachian Trail on the north edge of town. A segment from Wind Gap to Fox Gap includes a bit of a clamber up to Wolf Rocks, a great destination if you're in the mood for a substantial hike. Sturdy hiking boots and a picnic lunch will be indispensable.
Attraction:
Amazing Arts Institute
The Totts Gap Art Institute (just 20 minutes outside of Wind Gap) is doubtlessly the area's hub for artistic creativity. Here, youngsters and adults alike can find classes taught by experienced professionals in an inspiring variety of media, from dance, acting and filmmaking to 2D and 3D visual art such as clay, paper art and life drawing. The more unusual classes offered at Totts Gap have included blacksmithing, with teachers from the National Museum of Industrial History, and mural design.
In fact, designing and painting murals is a big part of Totts Gap Art Institute's symbiosis with the community. In the annual Heritage Mural Education Program, which involves young students, a spot in the Slate Belt is chosen for a mural based on local pictures and stories, celebrating the history of the communities the mural decorates. This year sees new murals go up in both Wind Gap and Bangor.
The Institute was originally a medical research center founded by Dr. Stewart Wolf in 1958. It was instrumental in studying the “Roseto effect,” a phenomenon in which a tight-knit community experiences lower rates of heart disease, as was the case in nearby Roseto. The County of Northampton purchased it along with 140 acres in 2006 and James and Angeline Gloria repurposed it as an institute for creative endeavors.
For the past three years, Totts Gap has hosted the Slate Rock Festival which showcases musical talent from the area. This year's annual scholarship dinner and fund drive will take place this month for all interested in supporting this pillar of artistic passion and community spirit.
1494 Totts Gap Rd., Bangor | 610.588.5817 | tottsgap.org
Spotlight Business:
Detzi's Tavern
Detzi's Tavern in Wind Gap is a comfortable, casual favorite for locals. It is bedecked with sports memorabilia and offers consistent quality bar fare and friendly service.
It began in 1960, the joint effort of Mary and LeRoy “Reno” Detzi, and has stood the test of time with daily specials as well as scrumptious standbys like cheesesteaks, burgers and cold beer. The menu offers a greater range of dishes than your average sports bar, with all the fried favorites as well as caprese with balsamic glaze or pesto-primed chicken sandwiches.
Triplets John, Joe and Jeff—the hardworking yet happy-to-say-hi Detzi Boys—now run the business. They've been proud to serve sports icons like Yogi Berra, Michael and Mario Andretti and Pen Argyl Olympian Kristen Maloney over the years, but Detzi's extends the same warm atmosphere and wide selection of beers to all of its customers.
You can tell by the way Detzi's quickly fills up with people who all seem to know each other that it's a place that brings folks back again and again.
570 N. Lehigh Ave. | 610.863.9882 | detzistavern.com
The Beer Stein
Detzi's is about two minutes away from another Wind Gap legend: The Beer Stein on Broadway. Deceptively plain from the outside, The Beer Stein is nonetheless famous for fresh, homemade food and is a favorite of hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Stop by for a bite and maybe a chat with a hiker to see why it's so beloved.
62 N. Broadway | 610.863.8338 | thebeerstein.net
History:
Sullivan Trail
Leading south out of Wind Gap all the way to Easton is a 10-mile stretch of road called Sullivan's Trail. It's a piece of the 35-mile PA 115, most of which began as the route taken by General John Sullivan's forces on a Revolutionary War mission that would devastate the British-allied Iroquois populating the region.
Four of the Six Nations of the Iroquois had opted to side with the British forces while two threw in with the Revolutionaries. It created a civil war for the Iroquois along with their struggle to deal with colonizing Europeans.
Realizing the threat that British and American Indian attacks posed, George Washington gave General Sullivan the following orders: “The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements, and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more... But you will not by any means listen to any overture of peace before the total ruinment of their settlements is affected. Our future security will be in their inability to injure us and in the terror with which the severity of the chastisement they receive will inspire them.”
From June through October in 1779, Sullivan made his way up to the Finger Lakes region of New York and laid waste to more than 40 Iroquois villages, sometimes at the expense of Indian communities that had supported the Patriot cause. With their shelter and food wiped out, thousands of Iroquois refugees starved and froze to death that winter, and many more were eventually forced to move west.
Did You Know:
Appalachian Designation
Wind Gap has been designated an Appalachian Trail Community this year, a distinction that will put Wind Gap in guidebooks and on trail maps, pointing more hikers to its amenities. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy started this program to generate more of a give and take between the trail and the communities it twists through. Wind Gap preserves the trail, and its status as an Appalachian Trail Community helps boost the local tourism and recreation economy.
Quick Tip:
Area Activities
This quiet town may be a mere 1.4 mile square, but there are activities to enjoy within its limits.
For over 30 years, Wind Gap has hosted Cruise to the Gap, a car show featuring hundreds of antique and custom cars from the last century. Corvettes, Thunderbirds, exotic models, motorcycles and some of the first cars to take to the roads in the early 20th century can be seen at this motorcar menagerie, where both breakfast and lunch are available for purchase. With activities and a flea market included, there's plenty to do and see. The big surprise each year is a special guest car like the Banana Car, a Monkees-themed convertible, or the “Dare 2B Bad” Supertrike.
Wind Gap's Indoor Flea Market
Cruise to the Gap isn't the only opportunity for antique hunters to do a little shopping. Wind Gap's Indoor Flea Market is open year-round, full of vendors selling collectibles, video games, art and even food. Nancy's Corner Cafe offers fresh lunch and desserts for the hungry shopper.
316 N. Broadway | 610.863.1757 | windgapfleamarket.com
North Summit Climbing Gym
There's always plenty of outdoor activity to be enjoyed in the Wind Gap area, but at North Summit Climbing Gym, climbers can get the challenge of a perilous cliff-face within the safety and shelter of four walls. The 6,500-square-foot facility is lined with footholds and handholds to offer bouldering, top-rope and lead climbs with new routes added regularly.
481 Bushkill Plaza Ln. | 610.863.4444 | northsummitclimbing.com
