Wilkesbabrk, a post-township of Luzerne co., Pennsylvania, contains Wilkesbarre, the county sent. Population, 6751.
Wilkesbarre, a thriving post-borough in the above township, capital of Luzerne co., Pennsylvania, on the left bank of the North branch of the Susquehanna, 110 miles N. E. from Harrisburg. It is situated in the beautiful and fertile valley of Wyoming, and commands a fine view of river and mountain scenery. It contains, besides the county buildings, several churches and academies, a bank, and 2 or 8 newspaper offices ; also a large iron furnace, and other factories. A bridge across the river connects the borough with Kingston. The Lehigh and Susquehanna railroad extends southward 20 miles to Whitehaven. The North Pennsylvania railroad, now in progress, will connect Wilkesbarre directly with Philadelphia and Western New York. Another railroad is projected to the Delaware Water-Gap. The trade of the borough is facilitated by the North Branch canal, and by a plank-road leading to Scranton. Large quantities of anthracite coal are procured from the beds which surround the town, and which are among the thickest in the state. An extensive rolling mill was erected here about 1840, but its operation was suspended a few years since. Incorporated in 1806. Population in 1850, 2723.
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