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

Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins

August 8, 2011

1. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Marker

Inscription. In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1938 that, in cases between citizens of different states, federal courts must apply state common law, not federal "general common law." Under Pennsylvania common law, Harry Tompkins of Hughestown lost his case against the Erie Railroad, a New York State company. Tompkins had been struck by an unsecured door of a passing train and severely injured near this spot on July 27, 1934.

Erected 1997 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2005.

Location. 41° 19.724′ N, 75° 46.643′ W. Marker is near Pittston, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is at the intersection of Rock Street and Division Street, on the left when traveling west on Rock Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 Rock Street, Pittston PA 18640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in the Wyoming Valley,

and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. 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: Our Fallen Heroes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joseph J. "Joe" Toye (approx. ¼ mile away); World War 2 Memorial (approx.

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¼ mile away); Hughestown School District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pittston Fort (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Pittston Fort (approx. half a mile away); The Greater Pittston Coal Miner (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sam Miceli Veterans' Memorial Park (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittston.

Photographed by Tiffany Crispell, February 18, 2013

2. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Marker

Photographed by Tiffany Crispell, February 18, 2013

3. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Marker

Since the tracks are no longer functioning, only a few rails are still in place from the incident.

Photographed by Tiffany Crispell, February 18, 2013

4. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Marker

Photographed by Tiffany Crispell, February 18, 2013

5. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Marker

This is the location where the accident happened.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2011. This page has been viewed 2,794 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 9, 2011. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 20, 2013, by Tiffany Crispell of Pittston, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.