Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Public Square Park
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 2, 2018
1. Public Square Park Marker
Inscription.
Public Square Park. .
Historically the interior of Public Square, or as it was known originally the "Town Plot," has served a variety of needs. Laid out in 1733 by Col. John Durkee, it has been the setting for a market house, a fireproof storage building for records, a boys academy, the Ship Zion Church and a succession of three court houses. The last court house on Public Square was razed in 1910, at which time a fountain with the statue of the Indian maiden "Kankakee" was placed in the center, making the entire interior of Public Square a park. While the park plan remained unchanged from 1910-1977, the fountain was removed in 1934. , , , , , , , ., , , , , , , On June 23, 1972 Hurricane Agnes caused the Susquehanna River to flood its banks. The resulting damage in property loss and human suffering to Wilkes-Barre and its Wyoming Valley neighbors was incalculable. Financial aid from federal, state and local governments became available for use in a comprehensive program which planned, financed and implemented renewal efforts. , , , , , , , ., , , , , , , The reconstruction of Public Square Park was accomplished as part of the "Wilkes-Barre Downtown Urban Renewal Program." It is dedicated to the Citizens of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley in the hope it will be enjoyed by all. .
Historically the interior of Public Square, or as it was known originally the "Town Plot," has served a variety of needs. Laid out in 1733 by Col. John Durkee, it has been the setting for a market house, a fireproof storage building for records, a boys academy, the Ship Zion Church and a succession of three court houses. The last court house on Public Square was razed in 1910, at which time a fountain with the statue of the Indian maiden "Kankakee" was placed in the center, making the entire interior of Public Square a park. While the park plan remained unchanged from 1910-1977, the fountain was removed in 1934.
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On June 23, 1972 Hurricane Agnes caused the Susquehanna River to flood its banks. The resulting damage in property loss and human suffering to Wilkes-Barre and its Wyoming Valley neighbors was incalculable. Financial aid from federal, state and local governments became available for use in a comprehensive program which planned, financed and implemented renewal efforts.
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The reconstruction of Public Square Park was accomplished as part of the "Wilkes-Barre Downtown Urban Renewal Program." It is dedicated
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to the Citizens of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley in the hope it will be enjoyed by all.
Location. 41° 14.77′ N, 75° 52.922′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is near the NW corner of the Public Square, in downtown. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilkes Barre PA 18701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
6. Fountain, Public Square Park, looking East, Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on May 5, 2018.