Near Mahanoy City in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Birth of Cable Television
Photographed by PaulwC3, August 4, 2013
1. Birth of Cable Television Marker
The first cable television system in Pennsylvania, believed to be the first in the United States, was established June 1948 in Mahanoy City by John Walson. This community antenna (CATV) system, operated by Mr. Walson's Service Electric Company, initially connected only three channels to his Main and Pine Street store and a few homes. In the following decade, Service Electric grew to serve many thousands of cable subscribers.
Erected 1998 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 48.948′ N, 76° 7.525′ W. Marker was near Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, in Schuylkill County. It was on Vulcan Hill Road (Pennsylvania Route 54) 1 miles west of Interstate 81, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Mahanoy City PA 17948,
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 one mile of this location, measured as the crow flies: Kaier Mansion (approx. half a mile away); First Congregational Church (approx. half a mile away); Mahanoy City High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Elks Lodge #695 (approx. 0.8 miles away); Victor Schertzinger (approx. one mile away); Molly Maguire Historical Park (approx. one mile away); War Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mahanoy City.
Also see . . .
1. Birth of Cable Television Historical Marker. Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on April 4, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Wired: Cable TV's Unlikely Beginning.
Photographed by PaulwC3, August 4, 2013
2. Wide view of the Birth of Cable Television Marker
3. John Walson Sr. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on April 4, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Missing Marker
Myself and another person checked for this marker and it is NOT at the location specified. We proceeded to search the entire town of Mahanoy City, PA and not sign of the marker. We don't know what happened to it.
— Submitted April 16, 2015, by Carolyn Martienssen of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
Photographed by PaulwC3, August 4, 2013
3. Detail of the Service Electric Mahanoy City office
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,025 times since then and 227 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 25, 2013. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of former location of marker? • Can you help?
