[4] The Lehigh Valley interchange of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom are both located in the township.

German settlers began arriving in present-day South Whitehall Township over a 20-year period beginning in about 1732.

The immigration of the Germans and other European natives, including Swiss and Huguenots, was aided by William Penn and his friends.

European emigrants were drawn to the area because of its reputation for fertile land and its limestone flanking rivers and streams, including present-day Jordan Creek.

One of the earliest tracts of land purchased in the township was by Nicholas Kern, who bought property on December 3, 1735, and October 28, 1737.

The Lorenz Guth house near Wehr's Dam still stands in excellent condition and is an example of colonial architecture.

The name Whitehall is thought to be derived from one of two sources: either a place in England, or for a white house erected as a hunting lodge near Jordan and Cedar creeks.

In 1752, Lorenz Guth presented the Reformed with a 50-acre (20 ha) tract of land, and a log church was erected in six weeks.

The early schools of the township were connected with the two Jordan churches for many years, possibly extending back to 1739.

It is possible that church-sponsored schools taught by sermon readers existed in the earliest days of the congregations.

In the early 19th century, iron ore was discovered at different places in the township, and mining operations were carried on from 1820 to 1890.

[1] The township is located immediately west of Allentown and approximately 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Philadelphia.

At the federal level, South Whitehall is represented by Susan Wild in the 7th congressional district.

Students in grades 9 through 12 attend Parkland High School, located on Cedar Crest Boulevard in the township.

[14] The Lehigh Valley interchange of Interstate 476 and Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension with U.S. Route 22 is in the western part of the township.

LANta serves multiple bus routes in South Whitehall Township, connecting Allentown with its western and northern suburbs.