Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre (wilks-ˌba-rə, -ˌba-rē, -ˌber) is a city in Northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Luzerne County and the center of the Wyoming Valley. Founded in 1769 and formally incorporated in 1806, the city has an estimated population of 43,123, according to the 2000 census. Wilkes-Barre is part of the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which has an estimated 2007 population of 549,430.Wilkes-Barre and surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the Pocono Mountains to the east, the Endless Mountains to the west and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The Susquehanna River flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city.
Beginnings
The Wyoming Valley was first inhabited by the Shawanese and Delaware Indian tribes in the early 18th century. By 1769, a group, led by John Durkee, became the first Europeans to reach the area. The settlement was named Wilkes-Barre after John Wilkes and Isaac Barré, two British members of Parliament who supported colonial America.The initial settlers were aligned with Connecticut, which had a claim on the land that rivaled Pennsylvania's. Armed men loyal to Pennsylvania twice attempted to evict the residents of Wilkes-Barre in what came to be known as the Pennamite Wars. After the American Revolution, the conflict was resolved so that the settlers retained title to their lands but transferred their allegiance to Pennsylvania.
Industrial foundations: manufacturing, coal and railroads
Wilkes-Barre's population exploded due to the discovery of anthracite coal in the 19th century, which gave the city the nickname of 'The Diamond City.' Hundreds of thousands of immigrants flocked to the city, seeking jobs in the numerous mines and collieries that sprung up.
20th century
The coal industry survived several disasters, including an explosion at the Baltimore Colliery in 1919 that killed 92 miners, but it could not survive the gradual switch to other energy sources. Most coal operations left Wilkes-Barre by the end of World War II, and the 1959 Knox Mine Disaster marked the end of King Coal's heyday. The city entered into a decades-long decline, hastened by Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
Disastrous flooding
Manufacturing and retail remained Wilkes-Barre's strongest industries, but the city's economy took a major blow from Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. The storm pushed the Susquehanna River to a height of nearly 41 feet, four feet above the city's levees, flooding downtown with nine feet of water. While no lives were lost, 25,000 homes and businesses were either damaged or destroyed, and damages were estimated to be $1 billion, with President Richard Nixon sending aid to the area.Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Wilkes-Barre attempted to repair the damage from Agnes by building a levee system that rises 41 feet; it has successfully battled less threatening floods of 1996, 2004, and 2006, and the Army Corps of Engineers has praised the quality of the levees.
21st century
On June 9, 2005, Mayor Thomas M. Leighton unveiled his I believe... campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits. Construction began on a planned downtown theatre complex which had a grand opening on June 30, 2006, and renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling was being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. The expansion of Wilkes University and King's College has taken place. Also, the canopy and matching street lights in Public Square and across downtown were removed; the replacements are new green lampposts.The City of Wilkes-Barre celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2006. There were several events which were scheduled to commemorate this occasion over the July 4 weekend, including a free concert with the Beach Boys in the city's Kirby Park. However, due to extremely heavy rains, the Susquehanna River crested high enough that most of the city had to be evacuated on June 28, 2006, forcing the cancellation of the events. Afterwards, the city rescheduled their Bicentennial Blastoff, their Bicentennial Parade and the Bicentennial Gala to different dates throughout August. The Beach Boys rescheduled their concert and played a Kirby Park concert on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday September 3, 2006, attended by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.Political corruption in Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County became a major regional news story following nationwide publication of stories about the Kids for Cash scandal, a kickback scheme involving two local judges, Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan, charged with enriching themselves by investing in juvenile detention facilities to which they subsequently sentenced children under their judicial power. The judges were implicated by another county judge who was being investigated as part of an FBI probe of events at the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre and corruption generally in the county. In the following months over 30 persons were charged as a result of the corruption probe. In August 2010, former Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak, a former professional football notable and Wilkes-Barre native, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for accepting a bribe unrelated to his involvement with the for-profit juvenile detention center. In 2011 the Sterling Hotel was deided to be demolished,upsetting some residents because of its historical prominance. The demolition date has yet to be set. Ciavarella and Conahan have withdrawn earlier guilty pleas, raising the possibility of a criminal trial.
Executive
The city is headed by a mayor, elected to a four-year term. The current mayor is Tom Leighton, a Democrat who was first elected to office in 2003.
Legislative
The legislative branch of Wilkes-Barre is the City Council, comprising five members who are elected by district to four-year terms. Current members of Council are: Chairperson Tony Thomas Jr.; Vice Chairperson Kathy Kane; Bill Barrett (former Wilkes-Barre police chief); Rick Cronauer; and Michael Merritt.
Judicial
The City of Wilkes-Barre is served by two City Attorneys, Timothy Henry, Esquire and William E. Vinsko, Jr., Esquire, who advise both the Mayor and City Council.The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction for Wilkes-Barre. Its probation system is divided into two divisions; one for adults, and one for juveniles.The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania sits at the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse in downtown Wilkes-Barre on South Main Street. The Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court, John J. Thomas, is son of Thomas C. Thomas, a prominent produce dealer whose terminal remains a prominent part of the Wilkes-Barre skyline.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 43,123 people, 17,961 households, and 9,878 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,296.3 people per square mile (2,430.6/km²). There were 20,294 housing units at an average density of 2,963.1 per square mile (1,143.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.30% White, 5.09% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.The average household size was 2.20, and the average family size was 2.96.In the city the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.The local accent of American English is Northeast Pennsylvania English.
Geography
Wilkes-Barre is located at 41°14′40″N 75°52′41″W / 41.244581°N 75.877918°W / 41.244581; -75.877918.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²).6.8 square miles (17.7 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km²) of it is water. The total area is 4.60% water. While the Susquehanna River has a wide floodplain that has necessitated the construction of floodwalls to protect a large percentage of the city, the areas away from the river increase in elevation approaching Wilkes-Barre Mountain. The approximate elevation for the majority of the city is about 525 feet above sea level.
Adjacent municipalities
Wilkes-Barre Township(southeast)
Plains Township(east and northeast)
Kingston(north)
Edwardsville(northwest)
Larksville(west)
Hanover Township(southwest)
Bear Creek Township(southwest)
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Roads, railways and transportation
Interstate 81 passes north-south near Wilkes-Barre, and the city is also located near the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and is north of Interstate 80.Public transportation is provided by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority. In addition to servicing the main arteries of the city, it provides transportation for the northern half of the county, as well as a connecting bus to Scranton via an interchange at Pittston with COLTS, the public transit authority of Lackawanna County.Five international airlines fly from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in nearby Avoca. Smaller, private planes may also use the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort.The city was at one time served by the Lehigh Valley Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (later Erie Lackawanna Railway), Delaware and Hudson Railway, the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad, and the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad (known as the Laurel Line). The Wilkes-Barre Traction Company formed a streetcar line from Georgetown to Nanticoke and over the river into Plymouth ceasing operations in the mid 1940s. At present, the Canadian Pacific Railway (successor to the Delaware and Hudson) and the Luzerne & Susquehanna Railroad (designated-operator of a county-owned shortline) provide freight service within the city.
Local attractions
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza(In nearbyWilkes-Barre Township)
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
The Frederick Stegmaier Mansion
Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre
Luzerne County Museum
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Pennsylvania's first slots casino.
Wyoming Monument
Luzerne County Historical Society
PNC Field, home of theScranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees(inMoosic, Pennsylvania)
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of Wilkes University.
Colleges and universities
Wilkes University, located on River Street in Center City
King's College, located along River Street in Center City
Misericordia University, located on Lake Street in nearbyDallas, Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Community College, located on South Prospect Street in nearbyNanticoke, Pennsylvania
Penn State Wilkes-Barre, located on Old Route 115 in nearbyLehman Township, Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth Medical College
High schools
James M. Coughlin High School
G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Memorial High School
Holy Redeemer High School
Elmer L. Meyers High School
Television
WNEP-TV16 ABC affiliate
WBRE-TV28 NBC affiliate
WYOU-TV22 CBS affiliate
WVIA-TV44 PBS affiliate
WOLF-TV56 Fox affiliate
WQMY53 MyNetworkTV affiliate
WSWB38 CW affiliate
Radio
Wilkes-Barre's radio market is ranked #69 by Arbitron's ranking system. The following box contains the list of all radio stations receivable in the area.WRGN-The Good News Network 88.1FM and 100.3FM
WEJL/WBAX/WQFM-ESPN Radio 630–1240 AM and 96.1/100.1/100.5 FM
WFUZ-FM 92.1 Adult Alternative-90's Radio
WMGS-Magic 93
WBHT-97BHT-Hit Radio
WSJR-JR 93.7 Country Radio
WGMF-WZMF-Gem 104 104.5 and 95.3 Classic Hits/Oldies
WBSX-97.9X Active Rock
WGGY-Radio Country
WILK News Radio Station
WKRZ – 98.5 popular music
WEZX-106.9 Rock 107 Classic Rock
Large Employers not otherwise mentioned
GUARD Insurance Group
Lord & TaylorDistribution Center
Benco DentalSupply Co
Miscellany
In the Collier brothers' bookMy Brother Sam is Dead, it is revealed in the end Timmy and his mother move to Wilkes-Barre.
HBOrecognizes Wilkes-Barre as the birthplace of modern cable programming. In November 1972 (coincidentally the autumn that followed Hurricane Agnes), 365 subscribers of Service Electric Cable were the first to receive HBO's service.
Louis Philippe, the King of France from 1830 to 1840, stayed in Wilkes-Barre while traveling en route to the French Asylum settlement in 1797.
Wilkes-Barre has been a popular stop for many presidential candidates: U.S. presidentsRutherford B. Hayes,Grover Cleveland,Theodore Roosevelt,Harry S. Truman,John F. Kennedy,Richard Nixon,Jimmy Carter,Ronald Reagan,Bill Clinton,George W. BushandBarack Obama.
Described by many today as one of America's more 'historical cities', Wilkes-Barre has gained considerable bad press (although it is not a major nationally recognized location) since theKnox Mine Disaster. In the 1960 presidential campaign, it garnered attention for its high levels of poverty. In 1972, the damage done by the Agnes flood made international headlines. In the 1990s, the city became known for the poor leadership of Mayor McGroarty. In 2001, aWashington Postcolumnist described Wilkes-Barre as 'awful' and 'next-door' Scranton as 'awfuler', describing the area as one of the worst metropolitan areas in theUnited States.In 2006, the city made the front page of national newspapers when 200,000 residents were told to evacuate in the wake of flooding that was forecast to reach levels near that of '72 but fell short of predictions.
Wilkes-Barre is thebirthplace of thePlanters Peanuts Company, which was founded in 1906 by Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici and partner Mario Peruzzi.
It is said that one of the longesthome runsin history was hit in Wilkes-Barre. This statement is quoted right from theScranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesNews page:'On October 12, 1926,Babe Ruthvisited Wilkes-Barre's Artillery Park to play in an exhibition game betweenHughestownandLarksville. Suiting up for Hughestown, the Yankee slugger challenged Larksville's hurlerErnie Corkranto throw him his 'best stuff'—a fastball right down the heart of the plate. Corkran obliged and Ruth crushed the pitch into deep right field. When the ball cleared the fence, a good 400 feet away from home plate, it was still rising. It finally landed in Kirby Park on the far side of a high school running track. Ruth himself was so impressed by the feat that he asked that his homer be measured. Originally estimated at 650 feet, the prodigious blast is considered to be the longest home run in baseball's storied history.
The Wilkes-Barre variation (or Traxler variation, as it is more commonly known) of theTwo Knights' Defenseis named for the Wilkes-Barrechessclub.
Bingowas popularized after a Wilkes-Barre church preacher approached the game's developer complaining that the original game was not random enough in its potential picks to limit winners. The resulting improvements, in response to that complaint, led directly to the cultural success of the game.
Wilkes-Barre's economic plight is featured in the movieCapitalism: A Love Story, directed byMichael Moore.
Notable natives and residents
Douglas Carter Beane, playwright
David Bohm, quantum physicist
Benjamin Burnley, lead singer and guitarist foralternative metalbandBreaking Benjamin
Mark Cohen, street photographer
Breaking Benjamin,rock band
Cold World,hardcore punkband
Colleen Corby,Sixtiesfashion model
George Catlin, artist
Francis A. 'Mother' Dunn, football player for theCanton Bulldogs
Jesse Fell, early experimenter with anthracite coal
Pat Finn, game show host whose shows includePAX'sShop 'Til You Drop
Ham Fisher, cartoonist
Florence Foster Jenkins, unconventional operatic soprano
Vin Gerard, professional wrestler
George Washington Helme, businessman and founder ofHelmetta, New Jersey
Qadry Ismail, formerNFLwide receiver on theBaltimore Ravens
Raghib Ismail, formerNFLplayer andHeisman Trophyrunner-up
Candy Jones,fashion model,writerandradio talk showhost
Dorothy Andrews Elston Kabis,Treasurer of the United States
James Karen, actor
Mike Konnick, formerMLBplayer
Mary Jo Kopechne, passenger killed in the car driven byTed KennedyatChappaquidick
Harley Jane Kozak, actress and author
Franz Kline,abstract expressionistpainter
Matthew Lesko, infomercial personality
Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Academy Award winning director and producer
Edward B. Lewis, winner of the 1995Nobel Prizein physiology and medicine
Mary McDonnell, actress twice nominated for Academy Award
Albert Mudrian, author and magazine editor
Jozef Murgas, radio pioneer
Amedeo Obici, founder of Planters Peanuts
Jerry Orbach,Tony award-winning actor
John Paluck, football player for theWashington Redskinsand pro-bowler
William Daniel Phillips, winner of the 2001Nobel Prizein physics
Mendy Rudolph, formerNBArefereefrom 1953 to 1975
Michael Schoeffling, actor who played Jake Ryan in 80s classic filmSixteen Candles
M. Gerald Schwartzbach, California criminal defense attorney
Greg Skrepenak, formerNFLplayer, convicted felon.
Jonathan Slavin,character actor
Jacob Sullum, journalist and author, featured in theAcademy Award-nominated documentarySuper Size Me
Bob Sura, basketball player,Houston Rockets
Louis Teicher, pianist; member of the duo Ferrante & Teicher
Alexis Toth, (St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre) a saint in theRussian Orthodox Church
Ed Walsh, Hall of Fame pitcher; major league baseball's all time ERA champion
Harry Welsh, WWII first lieutenant inEasy Company
Ira W. Wood, representedNew Jersey's 4th congressional districtfrom 1904 to 1913