Plymouth in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sephaniah Reese

(1866-1944)

Photographed By Michael Beatty, May 17, 2009

1. Sephaniah Reese (1866-1944) Marker

Inscription. Automobile pioneer, best known for building a 3-wheel, 1-cylinder vehicle here, 1887-88, and operating it on Plymouth's streets. His machine shop, incorporated 1888, was an early bicycle maker; the firm was located here for over 80 years.

Erected 1992 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 41° 14.357′ N, 75° 56.992′ W. Marker is in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is on West Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 West Main Street, Plymouth PA 18651, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 28th Infantry Division Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam War Memorial (about 300 feet away); Sergeant Sherwood Baker (about 300 feet away); War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Gulf War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Agnes Flood Line

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Coal Miners Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.

Also see . . . Explore PA History – Historical Markers. "Behind the Marker" (Submitted on May 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. More Info. about Marker & Mr. Reese
I was a speaker at the dedication of this plaque.on May 31, 1992. I brought & displayed the only surviving Reese automobile which is one of the oldest gasoline automobiles built in the USA. It is a 1899 Reese 3-wheel Horseless Carriage. He reportedly built a handful of these. Sephaniah Reese, Sr. built an earlier car in 1887 or 1888 and rode it in the back street (Shawnee Street) of Plymouth.

He incorporated his machine shop in 1888 and the family continued operating it until 1970. He owned the Reese Bicycle Works, being one of the first bicycle manufacturers in N.E. PA, making Reese Bicycles and Shawnee Bicycles. From 1904 or 1905 on, he became a dealer for other manufacturers of cars, trucks & motor cycles. He had one of the first PA Inspection Stations and made car and bike parts.

Photographed By Michael Beatty, May 17, 2009

2. Sephaniah Reese (1866-1944) Marker
— Submitted December 20, 2020, by Harold Mermel of Morganville, New Jersey.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,249 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 17, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 21, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.