Elena Castrignano

Wilkes-barre (Postcard History: Pennsylvania) Elena Castrignano

Wilkes-Barre, located along the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley, is the county seat of Luzerne County. The city was founded in 1769 by John Durkee and was named for John Wilkes and Isaac Barr©, both members of the British Parliament and supporters of the Colonists' fight for liberty. The city was incorporated as a borough in 1806 and as a city in 1871. Wilkes-Barre has undergone many changes in its long history, evolving from a farming community into the industrial city it is now. Many changes occurred as a result of the Susquehanna River, which was once a source of both trade and tourism. It runs through the city and splits the Wyoming Valley in half. Through vintage postcards, Wilkes-Barre chronicles the evolution of this community and surrounding towns.