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Nanticoke is situated
between the Susquehanna River on the north and the foothills of the
Blue Ridge Mountains on the south. It occupies 3.4 square miles of
land (2,179 acres) and is located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. In
the late 18th Century Nanticoke was carved out of Hanover Township and
Newport Township with Hanover Street as the dividing line between
them.
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City, Luzerne county,
northeast-central Pennsylvania, U.S., on the Susquehanna River,
about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Wilkes-Barre. In the early
18th century white settlers were attracted to the site of a
village of the Nanticoke Indians and set up a gristmill, iron
forge, and sawmill at the Susquehanna Rapids. The Nanticoke
migrated to New York state in 1793. In 1825 the first anthracite
coal mine was opened in the locality and by 1878 Nanticoke was a
major coal-mining centre. Coal mining declined with the
widespread use of fuel oil, natural gas, and electricity; the
population decreased and all the mines were closed by 1973.
Nanticoke is now basically residential with some light
manufacturing development. Luzerne County Community College is
located there. Inc. borough, 1874; city, 1926. Pop. (1990)
12,267; (1998 est.) 11,122. |
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On the Mill Memorial Library grounds, at the
corner of Main Street and Kosciuszko Street, stands this state
historical marker.
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1774 |
The first school teacher was William McKarrichan. |
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1776 |
The first two "great roads," Middle and River Roads, were staked
out. |
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1780 |
First weekly mail from Wilkes-Barre. |
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1810 |
The first school. |
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1820 |
John Oint Miller began the first pioneer grist mill, saw mill, oil
mill and the old forge which he later sold to Colonel Washington
Lee.
Thomas Bennett opened the first tavern and blacksmith shop.
Matthias Gruver kept the first tavern on Main Street. |
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1825 |
Col Washington Lee mined the first coal in Nanticoke.
The first doctor was Alden Bennett. |
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1830 |
David Thompson was the first postman.
The Nanticoke Dam was built.
North Branch Canal extended to Nanticoke. |
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Incorporated as a village
in 1830, Nanticoke was chartered by the Pennsylvania state legislature
as a borough on January 31, 1874. The first borough election was held
on Tuesday, February 17, 1874 at the Fountain Hotel (site of Guaranty
Bank).
By 1885, Nanticoke was a
growing community as reflected in new laws being passed and in the
appearance of improvements and utilities. A supplement to the
"Nanticoke Sun" of 1885 mentioned many accomplishments, a few of which
follow: a new law forbidding employment of boys under the age of 14
from working in the mines and boys under 12 from working in the
breakers; fifteen additional street lights were recommended and
adopted; purchase of 2 hose carriages; Nanticoke Water Company put
into operation; building of new roadway from Broadway to river bridge
commenced; ordered 35 ft. hook and ladder truck; and the Rough and
Reddy Hose Co. #2 was organized.
Historical Events
1892 - A paid police
dept, was established. The police cruiser was called the "Black
Maria."
1896 - It was decided to
used the building at the corner of Broad and Walnut Streets for city
hall; Mill Lane changed to Kosciuszko Street.
1897 - Chestnut St. to be
discontinued between Main and State Streets for coasting in the
winter.
1898 - Emil Malinowski
asked to be exonerated from taxes on his spoke and handle factory that
employed 15 men. He also requested the borough lock-up to be sold. He
obtained it for $60. per year. Offered $500. cash.
1899 - Plank sidewalks
ordered constructed at once on Hanover Street from Green to Washington
School to make it possible for children to get to the different Boro
schools during muddy weather.
1905 - Council used Park
building; city building to be used as Emergency Hospital for typhoid
epidemic; police to distribute handbills to boil water; bucket of lime
distributed to each family having typhoid.
1910 - Meetings held at
new city building on West Main.
1915 - Cemetery Street
changed to Washington St.
1916 - Enforced sidewalk
paving. Owners had to pay Boro employees to lay them; tax levy was 6
3/4 mills; request for dummy policeman at corner of Market and Main
Streets.
At one time, much of the
east coast of the United States was the land of the Nentego Indians,
who influenced the culture and society of other nearby peoples.
These native Americans
were the first to discover the anthracite coal that would shape much
of the early history of Nanticoke.
After battles and forces
agreements with the different ethnic settlers of the area, the tribe
was forced to move to reservations and vacate the land it had lived on
for hundreds of years.
In 1881, the Nentegos
were recognized as a Native American tribe in Delaware, where a museum
in Milisboro houses years of tradition.
Taking advantage of the
fruits of the land that the Indians found, Nanticoke's residents
turned the community into a prosperous coal mecca.
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