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Franklin Street

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c. 1848–c. 1930. Franklin St. between W. South and W. North sts.
  • (Photograph by William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (Photograph by William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (Photograph by William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)

River Street is Wilkes-Barre's front porch, but Franklin Street (named not for Benjamin but for John Franklin, a rebel leader of the Connecticut settlers who was tried for treason for preaching against the 1787 accord that ended Connecticut's claims to northern Pennsylvania) is its civic showpiece. Even today, the towers of Franklin Street comprise one of Pennsylvania's finest cityscapes. Here, within easy walking distance of their mansions and offices, the “anthracite aristocracy” built their institutions: Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches; fraternal and city clubs for business and recreation; and a museum to honor their ancestors. A miniature Wilkes-Barre history of world architecture can be seen along Franklin Street.

Writing Credits

Author: 
George E. Thomas
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Data

What's Nearby

Wyoming National Bank Building
Citizens Bank Center (Miners Bank Building)
PNC Bank (Second National Bank)
Chamber Building (Jonas Long's Sons Department Store)
Spring Brook Water Supply Company

Citation

George E. Thomas, "Franklin Street", [Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/PA-02-LU23.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of PA vol 2

Buildings of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, George E. Thomas, with Patricia Likos Ricci, Richard J. Webster, Lawrence M. Newman, Robert Janosov, and Bruce Thomas. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012, 468-468.

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