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

Trailing Along

Wyoming Valley Levee System

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 9, 2020

1. Trailing Along Marker

Inscription.

Trailing Along. Wyoming Valley Levee System.

"And when I had asked the name of the river from the brakeman, and heard that it was called Susquehanna, the beauty of the name seemed to be part and parcel of the beauty of the land." , Robert Louis Stevenson, Across the Plains, 1879

While few doubt the beauty of the Susquehanna's name, its origin remains a mystery steeped in Indian lore. One interpretation of "Susqueh" as "mud," combined with the Algonquin suffix "-hanna" meaning "river" or "stream" suggests "the muddy river." Other translations call it "the long reach river" and "the long crooked river." Regardless, the Susquehanna , designated an American Heritage River , is a sight to behold.

Hike 'n History on a flood control system , what a concept! Fifteen miles of the Wyoming Valley Levee System Trail beckon. Enjoy the scenic Susquehanna River and learn more about the Wyoming Valley's rich history and natural history.

Four levees comprise the trail system. On the river's west bank, the First Residents' Path, which extends through parts of Wyoming and Forty Fort, features accounts of Native Americans, early settlers and their conflicts. The Anthracite Heritage Walk winds through Kingston and Edwardsville, highlighting the region's coal industry. The Plymouth Passage illustrates the diversity of cultures and industries that shaped the borough. On the east bank, the Riverside Ramble presents a cornucopia of stories about the architecture, business, arts and agriculture of Wilkes-Barre and Hanover.

A menu of opportunities awaits you. The four levees provide a loop trail or four different paths. They also meet many other trails: some take days to complete, others offer an afternoon's delight. Visit several communities in the valley and hike the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor's main trail, if you want a multiple day hike. Explore, ponder, return.

[Levee Trails system map]

[Illustrations, top to bottom, left to right, read] , . Native American tobacco burning ceremony

. Coal mining - a job for men and boys, circa 1900

. St. Mary's Polish Church, one of many ethnic churches in Plymouth, 1918.

. The River Commons, circa 1900

While few doubt the beauty of the Susquehanna's name, its origin remains a mystery steeped in Indian lore. One interpretation of "Susqueh" as "mud," combined with the Algonquin suffix "-hanna" meaning "river" or "stream" suggests "the muddy river." Other translations call it "the long reach river" and "the long crooked river." Regardless, the Susquehanna — designated an American Heritage River — is a sight to behold.

Hike 'n History on a flood control system — what a concept! Fifteen miles of the Wyoming Valley Levee System Trail beckon. Enjoy the scenic Susquehanna River and learn more about the Wyoming Valley's rich history and natural history.

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that shaped the borough. On the east bank, the Riverside Ramble presents a cornucopia of stories about the architecture, business, arts and agriculture of Wilkes-Barre and Hanover.

A menu of opportunities awaits you. The four levees provide a loop trail or four different paths. They also meet many other trails: some take days to complete, others offer an afternoon's delight. Visit several communities in the valley and hike the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor's main trail, if you want a multiple day hike. Explore, ponder, return.

[Levee Trails system map]

[Illustrations, top to bottom, left to right, read]
• Native American tobacco burning ceremony

• Coal mining - a job for men and boys, circa 1900

• St. Mary's Polish Church, one of many ethnic churches in Plymouth, 1918.

• The River Commons, circa 1900

Erected by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Others.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 41° 15.339′ N, 75° 54.384′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is on Wyoming Avenue (U.S. 11), on the left when traveling north

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 9, 2020

2. Trailing Along Marker

. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 South Wyoming Avenue, Kingston PA 18704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. What on Earth is a Levee? (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Anthracite Heritage Walk (here, next to this marker); Anning Owen (approx. 0.7 miles away); Wyoming Seminary (approx. 0.7 miles away); Shafer House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Philip Jaisohn, M.D. (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Korean Garden (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Kirby Common (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingston.

Also see . . .
1. Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. (Submitted on August 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Luzerne County Levee Trail. (Submitted on August 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Wyoming Valley Levee System (The Citizens' Voice, 2012). (Submitted on August 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.