These are just five of "The Mountains of Easton", of which there are several more, though a few lie outside the city in Williams and Forks townships.
Mt. Ida : Probably the most well-known of Easton's 'mountains', the southern area is cut out for the railroad bridge across the Delaware River. According to local Easton historian, Leonard Buscemi: “Until the Civil war it was known as Mt. Washington. During the Canal Strike, military personal were stationed there to avert trouble. At one time an observatory was planned for the top of Mt Ida. The slope facing Easton was a favorite place to post signs. The most notable was the Coca-a-Cola sign painted there.”
Mt. Jefferson: Located behind the Easton Library. Originally called Bushkill Hill, the name was changed to Mt. Jefferson in honor of the election of President Thomas Jefferson. “There was a cannon permanently mounted at the top. During festive occasions, the cannon would be fired. Mock battles were held on the south side of the slope, the site of Easton ’s first cemetery, the Reformed Cemetery,” says Buscemi.
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Mount Lafayette: “Mount Lafayette, so named in honor of the son of France, the friend of Washington and America” according to Uzal Condit's “A History of Easton, Penna.” Lafayette College occupies this hill, which is to the north of Centre Square overlooking North Third St.
Mount Tabor: Also known as Nanny Goat Hill or German Hill. In Easton's Southside, “this is the slope on the north side of the hill along the side the old St Joseph ’s Church (now Our Lady of Mercy Church). The gypsies used to camp on this hillside,” according to Buscemi.
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Daisy Hill: Between 13th and 14th streets, south of Butler Street. “This was know as a great parking spot for young lovers,” said Buscemi.
Special thanks to local Easton historian Leonard Buscemi for providing vital information for this article. Other information was gathered from U.W. Condit's History of Easton, Penna., 1885 and Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania published by D. G. Beers & A Pomeroy & Co, 1873.
