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

Rev. Joseph Murgas

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 14, 2015

1. Rev. Joseph Murgas Marker

Inscription. Pioneer in development of overland wireless telegraphy. In 1898 he began his experiments on these grounds. His first public transmission of sound was made here on Nov. 23, 1905. Pastor, artist, biologist, and a supporter of Slovak aspirations, he died 1929.

Erected 1990 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 23, 1905.

Location. 41° 15.424′ N, 75° 51.868′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is on North Main Street. The marker is in front of Sacred Heart Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 North Main Street, 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: World War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Permanent Settlement in the Wyoming Valley (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Captain Joseph Davis and Lieutenant William Jones (approx. ¼ mile away);

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Connecticut Settlement (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Settlers and War Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rev. Jacob Johnson, A.M. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Frederick and Georgia Post Johnson (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkes-Barre.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. His marker in Bratislava…

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 Don Morfe, October 14, 2015

2. Rev. Joseph Murgas Marker

Sacred Heart Church-Front view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 14, 2015

3. Sacred Heart Church-Front view

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.