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BERNADINE ELICK
Thursday, February 03, 2000 Page: 11
The topic I have selected this week is early means of transportation in the
township. When the township was first settled in 1774, the only method of
traveling was by way of a horse.
The first horsecar line opened in 1866 connecting Wilkes-Barre with
Kingston. At that time, the driver of the horsecar often had to brave
inclement weather while standing on an unprotected front platform of the
horsecar.
A much better means of traveling was sought, and years later, a single
track was laid along the side of the road from Coalville — which is now
present-day Ashley –through the Newtown section of Hanover Township, to the
Wilkes-Barre city line on Hazle Avenue to Wilkes-Barre Township.
The track continued on to the Wilkes-Barre city line at the canal (where
tracks of the Penn Central railroad were located). The track then continued on
to South Washington Street, as far as South Street and from South Street to
South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre.
////
Grand opening
///
Formal opening of this line took place on Monday, Dec. 20, 1869. The first
line consisted of two cars which cost approximately $1,800. The cars were
heated in the winter by coal stoves, a luxury at the time, compared to the
Kingston line which relied solely on several inches of straw scattered on the
floor to keep passengers’ feet warm.
The township’s horse-drawn street railway ended in 1871.
For individuals who traveled long distances, a stagecoach line ran from
East Northampton Street over the Wilkes-Barre Turnpike which connected with
Easton, and from there they would be able to connect with other areas.
The electric street car came into existence in the township in 1893. The
street car traveled from the township line at Empire Street, through the
Heights area to South Main Street in the city.
This route was called the Georgetown line, so passengers would know which
car they should take. At that time, township residents had to walk to Empire
Street to get on or off the street car. It would be many years before the
street cars would actually run to the end of East Northampton Street in the
township. /// Breaking news /// A local newspaper reporter who rode the street
car for the first time when it came into the township, wrote that young boys
at Empire and Market Street were making a great deal of trouble for the
conductor by placing large stones on the street car tracks. He also wrote that
he noticed many of the women at Empire Street and Park Avenue were so
fascinated by the street car that they did nothing all that day but sit on
their porches and watch the cars pass.
Because of the steep hills in the Georgetown and Heights sections, the
motormen had plenty of exercise stopping the street cars because the street
cars had no air brakes.
They had to use their physical power in order to apply the hand brakes on
the hills.
The traction company then pursued plans to build three spans over the
railroad tracks on East Market Street. The work which began on Aug. 29, 1896,
was completed and open for regular service on Oct. 28 of that year.
No plans were taken, however, on extending the line into Georgetown until a
line was installed on East Northampton Street. This line took approximately
four months to complete.
According to a newspaper article published by the Wilkes-Barre Record on
Monday, June 1, 1908, the traction company did a record-breaking business on
Saturday (May 30), and was able to handle the large crowd of at least 150,000
passengers on their local lines without any incidents.
The enormous traffic that weekend was in part due to the many attractions
realted to the Memorial Day holiday weekend observance and the Giants Despair
Hill Climb.
The traction company estimated that there were approximately 16,000
passengers transported on the Georgetown line that weekend.
Because the residents of Georgetown and Laurel Run continued to insist that
the traction company extend their line to the township and Laurel Run Borough
boundary, the company finally gave in and a track was laid up East Northampton
Street to the top of the hill. /// Street cars climb the hill //
The first street car to run to the top of the hill was on Nov. 13, 1924.
The Georgetown line, which opened in 1896, was completed 28 years later.
The Georgetown line was then converted into a trolley coach operation in
1947. Due to a final reorganization of the system, which resulted in formation
of the Wilkes-Barre Transit Corp. in August 1947, the new management
eliminated all trolley coach service in the valley and the last Georgetown
trolley coach ran on Sunday, Sept. 22, 1958 with buses then serving the
township.
The Georgetown line was used extensively by residents many years ago, not
like today. Many times passengers could not get a seat and would have to stand
the entire route.
Cars at that time were scarce as there would only be one car to a family
household, so the means of travel was by public transportation.
Perhaps township resident will recall that it was not an uncommon sight
years ago to see an adventurous teenager hop on the back of a street car in
order to get a free ride into Wilkes-Barre.
Also, teenagers were known to get injured when the wheels of their bikes
got caught in the street car tracks.
Today the Luzerne County Transportation Authority buses traverse East
Northampton Street over a route which in the past has seen both diesel and
gasoline buses, the electric-powered trolley coaches, street cars and a stage
coach line connecting Wyo~ming Valley with the outside world. /// Recyclable
bins to be removed // Recently it was brought to council’s attention by J.P.
Mascaro & Sons, the township’s refuse collector, that people have been abusing
the recycling bins which are placed for the convenience of residents across
from the fire hall on Watson Street.
Some individuals are placing their household garbage in the bins with the
recyclables, they were unable to salvage any of the recyclables in the bin.
Mascaro informed the township that if these practices continue, they will
begin charging the township for additional dumpsters. Because this problem may
cost the township, council decided to have Mascaro, remove the recycling bins.
When the bins are removed, residents can place their recyclables at the
curbside on their regular garbage pick-up days.
Anyone who is not a township resident and is found bringing household
garbage and placing it in the recyclable bin will be fined. /// Bids sought
///
Council will receive bids for the sale of the Simeon Wansaw property at the
rear of 67 Spruce Street. This property was in disrepair for many years and
was demolished last year following many complaints by a nearby resident.
Bids, in the amount of no less than $7,000, will be accepted until tomorrow
at 4 p.m. in the office of the township business administrator. Bids must be
accompanied by a bid bond representing 10 percent of the amount offered for
the purchase of the property.
Bids must be submitted by certified check. The property will be sold on an
“as is” basis,
Bids will be opened during council’s 7:15 p.m. Monday meeting. /// Public
hearing //
Council will hold a special meeting and public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday on
the application for rezoning portions of the Highland Business Park. The
public is invited to attend. /// Congratulations ///
Jill Straub, daughter of Mrs. Jaret Straub, of Flaherty Drive, was named to
the dean’s list for the fall semester at Moravian College in Bethlehem.
Jill, a sophomore, is majoring in political science and economics.
Congratulations, Jill, and belated birthday wishes from your family and
friends. ///
Lions to Meet
Wilkes-Barre Township Lions Club will hold a business meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday at the fire hall. Plans will be finalized for the club’s annual Night
at the Races fund-raiser to be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the fire hall.
Judy Brozowski will preside.
Birthday Wishes
Happy birthday wishes to Irene Brozowski, of Lehigh Street, who will
celebrate her birthday Monday. Best wishes to you from your family, friends
and neighbors.
///
From the mailbag
I received two letters recently. One was from a dear old friend, Jean
Kryeski Krohle, who lived in the township for many years and resides in Noxen.
Jean wrote to say she enjoys reading news about the township and my weekly
helpful hints. Thanks, Jean for writing. It was nice to hear from you.
The second letter was from my sister who resides in Potomac, Md. I sent her
a copy of my recent column which I thought she would enjoy and reminisce how
times have changed since she and I were growing up.
She wrote to tell me she took my article to the local senior center, and by
coincidence, the topic that day was how things have changed in the past
century. Many members asked that she make copies for them so that they can
pass it on to their children who now live around the country. In her letter
she wrote, “Did you ever believe when you wrote your article that it would be
so popular?”
Bernie’s Helpful Hints
1. To remove water stains from furniture, use a mixture of mayonnaise and
cigarette ashes. Rub in the mixture and let stand for a few minutes before
removing. Polish as usual.
2. How to clean your frost-free refrigerator. Mix a half cup of isopropyl
alcohol with a dishpan full of lukewarm water. The alcohol will loosen any icy
matter and sponge away dirt and odors.
But best of all, because alcohol evaporates, you don’t have to dry.
3. Did you know that equal parts of turpentine and ammonia will remove
paint from your clothing, even if the paint has hardened?
Does your service club have a fund-raiser or meeting coming up? Would you
like to wish a family member or friend either a happy birthday or anniversary?
Just give me a call at 823-7540, e-mail me at BElick5107@aol.com, or mail it
to me at 59 S. Walnut St., Wilkes-Barre Township, 18702 before noon Monday.