Wilkes-Barre PA

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Wilkes-Barre  is the central city of the Wyoming Valley and county seat of Luzerne County in northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1769 and formally incorporated in 1806, the city has an estimated population of 43,123, according to the 2000 census.

The city and 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 northeastern border of the city.

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[edit] History

[edit] Beginnings

The Wyoming Valley was first inhabited by the Shawanese and Delaware Indian tribes in the early 1700s. By 1769, a group of settlers, 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.

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as depicted on an 1889 panoramic map.
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as depicted on an 1889 panoramic map.

[edit] Industrial foundations: manufacturing, coal and railroads

Wilkes-Barre's population exploded due to the discovery of anthracite coal in the 1800s, 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Disastrous flooding
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Manufacturing and retail remained as 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 the downtown with nine feet of water. Six people were killed, 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 which has successfully battled less threatening floods of 1996, 2004, and 2006 with the Army Corps of Engineers praising the quality of the levees.

In addition, Wilkes-Barre was attracting new businesses to the city (including the finished construction of the Wyoming Valley Mall and the reconstruction a large downtown Boscov's), though many opted to move to the suburbs. Mayor Tom McGroarty was criticized for his handling of the city's fiscal affairs by Governor Mark Schweiker, who accused him of being "inept." When McGroarty lost the mayoral primary in 2003, Wilkes-Barre was nearly $11 million in debt.

[edit] 21st century

The landmark Sterling Hotel at the corner of West Market and River Streets.
The landmark Sterling Hotel at the corner of West Market and River Streets.

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 much anticipated grand opening on June 30, 2006, and renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling was being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. A downtown two-floor Barnes & Noble store opened October 17, 2006, and 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 more modern green lampposts. Leighton has been under pressure to implement measures to tackle city crime, which has risen 39 percent on his watch according to local newspapers Times Leader and Citizen's Voice.

In 2006, the City of Wilkes-Barre celebrated its 200th anniversary. There were several events which were scheduled to commemorate this momentous occasion over the July 4 weekend, including a free concert with the legendary Beach Boys in the City's Kirby Park. Unfortunately, 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. However, the City rescheduled their Bicentennial Blastoff, their Bicentennial Parade and the Bicentennial Gala to different dates throughout August. The Beach Boys graciously rescheduled their concert and played a Kirby Park concert on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday September 3, 2006, attended by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

[edit] Government

Luzerne County Courthouse
Luzerne County Courthouse

[edit] Executive

The city is headed by a mayor, elected to a four-year term. The current mayor is Tom Leighton, a Democrat who was elected in 2003.

[edit] Legislative

The legislative branch of Wilkes-Barre is the City Council, comprising seven members who are elected to four-year terms. Current members of Council are: Chairman, Bill Barrett (former Wilkes-Barre police chief); Vice Chair, Michael McGinley; Kathryn Kane; Phillip Latinski; Jim McCarthy; Tony Thomas Jr.; and Shirley Morio Vitanovec.

[edit] 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 the late Thomas C. Thomas, a prominent produce dealer whose terminal remains a prominent part of the Wilkes-Barre skyline.

[edit] Demographics

Downtown Wilkes-Barre, Market Street Bridge, and Susquehanna River.
Downtown Wilkes-Barre, Market Street Bridge, and Susquehanna River.

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 43,123 people, 17,961 households, and 9,878 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,430.6/km² (6,296.3/mi²). There were 20,294 housing units at an average density of 1,143.9/km² (2,963.1/mi²). 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.

It should be noted that over the last 5-10 years, many African Americans and Hispanics have migrated to the city from Philadelphia and New York City.

The local accent of American English is Northeast Pennsylvania English.

[edit] Population trends

1850 2,723
1900 51,721
1910 67,105
1920 73,833
1940 86,236
1970 58,856
1990 47,523
2000 43,123
2006 41,288

[edit] Geography

Wilkes-Barre is located at 41°14′40″N, 75°52′41″W (41.244581, -75.877918)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.6 km² (7.2 mi²). 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.60% water.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Local attractions

[edit] Colleges and universities

[edit] High schools

[edit] Sports teams

[edit] Local media outlets

[edit] Television

[edit] Radio

[edit] Facts

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The article could be improved by integrating relevant items into other sections and removing inappropriate items. (June 2007)