Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Ashley Planes
Bear Creek Village Historic District
Bittenbender Covered Bridge
Bridge in City of Wilkes-Barre
Catlin Hall, Wilkes College
Central Railroad of New Jersey Station
Comerford Theater
Denison House
Eckley Historic District
Evans, Benjamin, House
Forty Fort Meetinghouse
Guthrie, George W., School
Hazelton High School
Hotel Altamont
Kingston Armory
Luzerne County Courthouse
Luzerne County Fresh Air Camp
Luzerne Presbyterial Institute
Market Street Bridge
Markle Banking & Trust Company Building
McClintock Hall
Memorial Presbyterian Church
Pardee, Israel Platt, Mansion
River Street Historic District
Search, George W., House
St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish Complex
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and School Building
St. Stanislaus Institute
Stegmaier Brewery
Stoddartsville Historic District
Swetland Homestead
Weiss Hall
West End Wheelmen's Club
Wilkes-Barre Silk Company Mill
Wyoming Monument
Wyoming Seminary
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
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.
Brief timeline of the history 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.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.