Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jesse Fell
(1751-1830)
Photographed by PaulwC3, August 4, 2013
1. Jesse Fell Marker
At his tavern here on Feb. 11, 1808, Fell burned stone coal successfully in an open grate. This famed experiment spurred the rise of the anthracite industry & the Wyoming Valley's growth. He was a judge, 1798-1830; first burgess of Wilkes-Barre, 1806.
Erected 1996 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1992.
Location. 41° 14.572′ N, 75° 53.008′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is at the intersection of East Northampton Ave and South Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Northampton Ave. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilkes Barre PA 18701, 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: St. Mary's High School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wilkes-Barre (about 700 feet away); F.M. Kirby & Co. Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Redington Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Birthplace of the National Federation of the Blind
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Jesse Fell. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 3, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Look Back: Stone coal first burned for domestic use in 1808. Times-Leader newspaper website entry (2022) (Submitted on November 3, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Reading Eagle: Judge's friends saw hoax in plan to burn hard coal. Google News archive (Submitted on August 12, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
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 PaulwC3, August 4, 2013
2. Wide view of the Jesse Fell Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,623 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
