Historical Markers in
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

109th Field Artillery Battalion 109th Field Artillery Battalion Memorial 28th Infantry Division Memorial 443rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion Memorial 4th-5th-7th-8th Wards WWII Honor Roll A Formal Promenade Across the River Abijah Smith & Company Administration Building Agnes Flood High Water Mark Agnes Flood Line All for the View Amedeo Obici (1877-1947) American Institute of Mining Engineers America's First Jazz Festival Anning Owen Arthur Horace James (1883-1973) Attilio "Rocky" Castellani Avondale Mine Disaster Baltimore Mine Tunnel Disaster Battle of Wyoming Battle of Wyoming Battlefield of Wyoming Birthplace of the AIME Birthplace of the National Federation of the Blind Bridging Two Cities Camp Luzerne Captain Ann Bernatitus Center of Law, Politics and Power Chief Roland "Legs" Biscontini Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus Civil War Memorial Civil War Memorial Coach Robert "Bob" Barbieri Coal Miners Memorial Coal Miners Memorial Monument College Misericordia Concrete City Connecticut Settlement Crabapple Daniel J. Flood Denison House Early Settlers and War Veterans Memorial Eckley Miners' Village Eckley MinersÂ’ Village Edward A. Walsh (1881 - 1959) Ellen Webster Palmer Ellen Webster Palmer Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Exploring The Corridor Exploring the Corridor F.M. Kirby & Co. Store First Permanent Settlement in the Wyoming Valley Former Site of St. Mary's Convent Fort Durkee Fort Wilkes Barre 1778 Fort Wyoming Fort Wyoming Forty Fort Forty Fort Cemetery Lost Graves Memorial Forty Fort Meeting House Franz Kline (1910 - 1962) Fred Morgan Kirby George Catlin Gulf War Memorial Harvey's Lake Henry M. Hoyt Holy Mother of Sorrows P.N.C.C. War Memorial Holy Rosary Parish Veterans Memorial Honor Roll of St. JosephÂ’s Parish Inspiration Mural James Bird Jenkins Fort Jesse Fell John Abbott and Isaac Williams King's College Founders Knox Mine Disaster Korean War Memorial LaborerÂ’s Double Dwelling Lattimer Massacre Lattimer Massacre Lehigh Path Luzerne County Lyman H. Howe Memorial to Honor SS Peter and Paul Parish Min L. Matheson Mocanaqua Mount Joe Palooka Nanticoke Nescopeck Old Ship Zion Church Bell Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parents Corner Pete Gray Wyshner Peter F. Rothermel Pittston Fort Public Square Park Raymond Slabinski Rev. Jacob Johnson, A.M. Rev. John J. Curran Rev. Joseph Murgas River Ran Black Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Centennial Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church Sephaniah Reese Sergeant Sherwood Baker Shawnee Fort Shickshinny St. John the Baptist Church St. Joseph's Church St. Mary's High School St. Mary's PNCC Organizers and Veterans Memorial Sugarloaf Massacre Teedyuscung Thank Josiah White The Birthplace of HBO The Bloody Rock The Fine Arts Fiesta The Greater Pittston Coal Miner The Redington Hotel The Roberts Tower The Sugarloaf Massacre The Sullivan Expedition against the Iroquois Indians Tinsley Hall Toni the Tomato Mule Trailing Along Trailing Along Twin Shaft Disaster U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre Union Access Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Wapwallopen War and Veterans Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial Warriors Path Welcome to the Anthracite Heritage Walk What on Earth is a Levee? What on Earth is a Levee? White Haven Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre Fort William Camp Gildersleeve William G. McGowan Workers in Greater Pittston's Garment Industry World War I Memorial World War II Memorial World War Memorial World War Memorial World War Memorial World War Memorial World Wars Memorial Wyoming Division Canal Wyoming Seminary Presidents' Lost Graves Memorial
The first recorded U.S. flag-raising on foreign soil occurred in 1777, when the Stars and Stripes were flown during a naval battle off the coast of Quiberon Bay, France, commanded by Pennsylvania native John Paul Jones.
Pennsylvania random facts
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has a rich history that spans centuries. The area originally belonged to the indigenous tribes, including the Susquehannock and Delaware tribes. The county was officially formed in 1786, named after Chevalier de la Luzerne, the French ambassador to the United States during the American Revolutionary War.

In the early 19th century, Luzerne County became a vital hub of industry due to its abundant natural resources. Coal mining emerged as the dominant industry, and the region soon became known as the "Anthracite Coal Capital of the World." It attracted immigrants from Europe, particularly Ireland and Eastern Europe, who sought employment in the booming coal mines.

However, the coal industry also brought significant social and labor challenges. In the late 19th century, labor disputes and strikes erupted, including the infamous 1902 Coal Strike led by the United Mine Workers of America. These events represented a struggle for fair working conditions and wages for the miners.

Throughout the 20th century, Luzerne County experienced economic fluctuations as the coal industry declined. Efforts were made to diversify the economy, leading to growth in manufacturing, healthcare, and educational sectors. Today, Luzerne County is a vibrant region with a diverse population and varied industries, while also preserving its historical roots through landmarks, museums, and festivals that celebrate its coal mining heritage.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

  • 1786: Luzerne County is established on September 25.
  • 1808: The first courthouse is built in Wilkes-Barre.
  • 1811: The Battle of Tompkins Corners during the War of 1812 takes place in Luzerne County.
  • 1832: The Susquehanna River flood devastates Wilkes-Barre, causing significant damage and loss of life.
  • 1853: The Lehigh Valley Railroad begins operations in Luzerne County, enhancing transportation and commerce.
  • 1863: The Civil War Draft Riots occur in Wilkes-Barre, resulting in violence and unrest.
  • 1871: The first coal mine fire begins in Plymouth, which would become an ongoing issue in the county.
  • 1896: The Knox Mine Disaster occurs, claiming the lives of twelve miners and impacting the region's coal industry.
  • 1901: The Wilkes-Barre City Hall is completed, becoming an iconic landmark in the county.
  • 1959: Hurricane Diane causes severe flooding in Luzerne County, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.
  • 1972: The Agnes Flood, caused by Tropical Storm Agnes, leads to extensive flooding throughout the county.
  • 2006: Wilkes-Barre celebrates its 200th anniversary since its incorporation as a city.