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

Fred Morgan Kirby

(1861-1940)

Photographed by Michael Beatty, May 3, 2009

1. FRED MORGAN KIRBY Marker

Inscription. Pioneer of the 5 & 10 cent store sales concept. He opened his first store in Wilkes-Barre in 1884. In 1912, he merged his 96 retail stores with F. W. Woolworth to form the vast international retail chain. A philanthropist, he made significant gifts to institutions of higher education for the study of civil rights, and gifts for public health and recreation services in northeastern Pennsylvania. He resided here from 1905 to 1940.

Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Education • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 41° 14.691′ N, 75° 53.393′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is on South River Street near South Street, on the left. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 South River St (Kirby Hall), Wilkes Barre PA 18702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region

and in the Wyoming Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Durkee (a few steps from this marker); Lyman H. Howe (a few steps from this marker); George Catlin

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(a few steps from this marker); Chase Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Kirby Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Franz Kline (1910 - 1962) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burns Alumni Tower and Carillon (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chase Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkes-Barre.

Also see . . . Fred Morgan Kirby - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker to be refurbished.
The marker plate has taken down to be sandblasted, primed and repainted & any other repairs needed. It will be put back shortly.

— Submitted March 14, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Photographed by Michael Beatty, May 3, 2009

2. FRED MORGAN KIRBY Marker

Kirby Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,876 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.