Monroe County, Pennsylvania

9/11 Memorial A. Mitchell Palmer Alma Mater Statue Blakeslee United Methodist Church Col. Jacob Stroud Colonel Jacob Stroud Daniel Brodhead Dansbury Mission Delaware Water Gap Delaware Water Gap Dutch Settlers Easton and Wilkes-Barre Turnpike Forest Products Industry Fort Hamilton Fort Hyndshaw Fort Norris Fort Penn Gertrude Mary Smith Boddle Grand Army of the Republic Wadsworth Post #150 Harrison Amusement Park Historic Pocono Lake Cemetery Hollinshead House Hungry Hill Memorial Hungry Hill Revolutionary War Monument Ice Harvesting Industry Isaac Stauffer J. J. Newberry Company Stores Jacob Blakeslee, Jr. Jacob Stroud John Philip Sousa John Summerfield Staples Lutherland McMichaels Creek Monroe County Monroe County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monroe County World War Memorial Monroe County "Boys in Blue" Honored Dead Naomi Pines House Nicholas Depuy Nicholas DuPuy Pocono Pines Assembly Salem United Church of Christ Shawnee-Minisink Archaeological Site Smithfield Church Stroud Mansion Stroudsburg High School War Memorial Stroudsburg United Methodist Church World War II Memorial Sullivan Bridge Sullivan Expedition Against the Iroquois Indians, 1779 Sullivan Expedition Against the Iroquois Indians, 1779 Sullivan's March Sullivan's March Summer Youth Camps Swiftwater Valley WWI Memorial The Battle of Locust Ridge The First Fire Company / The Clymer Library The First Schoolhouse The Flood of 1955 The Great Swamp The Lumbering Industry The Old Mill The Stagecoach Inn The Sullivan Expedition Against The Iroquois Indians 1779 Tobyhanna Township Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Wagner's Tree Farm War Memorial Waring Drive Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad William Henry Christman World War Memorial World Wars Memorial Worthington Hall
Monroe County, located in northeastern Pennsylvania, has a rich history that stretches back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Lenape and Shawnee, who utilized the region's lush forests and abundant wildlife. European settlers began to arrive in the mid-18th century, establishing farms and small settlements. One of the earliest pioneers was a man named Jacob Stroud, who established the town of Stroudsburg in 1799.

During the American Revolution, Monroe County played a significant role as a strategic location between the patriot-controlled Philadelphia and the British-controlled New York City. The region witnessed several skirmishes and battles, including the notable Battle of Wyoming in 1778, where American forces clashed with British and Native American allies.

In the early 19th century, the completion of the Delaware and Hudson Canal in the 1820s brought an economic boom to Monroe County. The canal, which connected the coal mines in northeast Pennsylvania to the Hudson River in New York, facilitated the transportation of coal and other goods, leading to the growth of the county's population and economy.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw Monroe County transform from an agrarian society to a resort and recreational destination. The natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains attracted visitors from Philadelphia and New York City, prompting the development of hotels, resorts, and vacation homes. Today, Monroe County continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination, offering outdoor recreational activities, historic sites, and a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Brief timeline of the history of Monroe County, Pennsylvania:

  • 1725 - Monroe County is formed as part of Bucks County in Pennsylvania.
  • 1836 - The county is officially established and named after James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States.
  • 1865 - The county experiences growth and development due to the arrival of railroads.
  • 1978 - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is established, preserving a large portion of Monroe County's natural beauty.
  • 1990s - The county sees an increase in population and development, becoming a popular residential area.
  • 2008 - The county experiences rapid growth in the tourism industry, thanks to its proximity to the Pocono Mountains.

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