North Third Street in Easton was a distinguished neighborhood known for both its historical significance and the beauty of its architecture. The Chipman Mansion at 252 Spring Garden Street was built circa 1907, designed by William Michler, and served as the residence of Easton industrialist W. Evan Chipman, who was a partner with his brother in the Charles Chipman Sons Hosiery Mills. The Thomas Rinek Mansion at 36 North Third Street, built in 1884, is an ornate stone-fronted home associated with Thomas Rinek, president of the Northampton County National Bank and one of four brothers who were partners in the J. Rinek Sons cordage company; his nephew, Charles Norvin Rinek, was an early aviation competitor of the Wright Brothers. The Herman Simon Mansion at 41 North Third Street was designed by William Marsh Michler and built in 1902 by Herman Simon, who with his brother Robert operated the sprawling R and H Simon Silk Company mill complex on North 13th Street in Easton.
