Early European settlers established the villages of Hazard and Little Gap, which were part of Lower Towamensing Township.

Though other industries, such as several garment manufacturing shops, came to Palmerton, the zinc company was the major employer for most of the town's history.

Much of the population came to the site, principally from Eastern Europe, in order to work in the zinc plants.

The East Plant continues to operate at reduced capacity, processing electric arc furnace dust into zinc calcine.

The Palmer House, a five-story Senior Citizens residence at 360 Delaware Avenue is on the site of the former Palm Theater.

[3] The layout of Palmerton's streets and alleys is extremely regular, because most of the town was planned and built by the New Jersey Zinc Company.

Avenues, which run east to west, contain the majority of addresses and are named for colleges and universities.

Most of the houses in the central and southern parts of town (near the zinc plants) are "doubles"—one building divided down the center into two residences.

The Appalachian Trail crosses the Lehigh River less than 2 miles (3 km) south of Palmerton.

The former town jail, below City Hall, had been converted into a hostel which served Appalachian Trail thru-hikers for forty years.

The band began playing summer concerts in the Palmerton Borough Park bandshell in 1911.