Уилкс-Барре, Пенсильвания: Тарихы мен географиясы

Wilkes Barre ('/w//ɪ//l//k//s//b//ɛər/ WILKSbair or / //b//ɛər//i/// bairee) is a city in and the county seat of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located at the center of the Wyoming Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it had a population of 44,328 in the 2020 census. It is the second largest city, after Scranton, in the Scranton–Wilkes Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 567,559 as of the 2020 census, making it the fifth largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania after the Delaware Valley, Greater Pittsburgh, the Lehigh Valley, and Greater Harrisburg. The contiguous network of five cities and more than 40 boroughs all built in a straight line in Northeastern Pennsylvania's urban core act culturally and logistically as one continuous city, so while the city of Wilkes Barre itself is a mid sized city, the larger Scranton/Wilkes Barre Urban Area contains half a million residents in roughly 300 square miles (777 km2). Scranton/Wilkes Barre is the cultural and economic center of a region called Northeastern Pennsylvania, which is home to over 1.3 million residents. Wilkes Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the Pocono Mountains to the east, the Endless Mountains to the north and west, and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The Susquehanna River flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city. Wilkes Barre was founded in 1769, incorporated as a borough in 1806, and formally re incorporated as a city in 1869. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century after the discovery of nearby coal reserves and the arrival of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, who provided a labor force for the city's mines. The mining of high quality anthracite coal fueled industrialization in the city, which reached the height of its prosperity in the first half of the 20th century. Its population peaked at more than 86,000 in 1930. Following World War II, the city's economy declined due to the collapse of industry. The Knox Mine disaster accelerated this trend after large portions of the area's coal mines were flooded and could not be reopened. In the 21st century, the city's population is roughly half that of its peak population of the 1930s, though it remains the largest city in Luzerne County and the 13th largest city in Pennsylvania. Wilkes Barre is located approximately 63 mile (101 km) northwest of Allentown, and 113 mile (182 km) northwest of Philadelphia.

By the 18th century, the Wyoming Valley was inhabited by the Shawnee and Lenape, also known as Delaware Indian tribes. In 1753, the Susquehanna Company was founded in Connecticut for settling the Wyoming Valley in present day Pennsylvania. Connecticut succeeded in purchasing the land from the Native Americans; however, Pennsylvania already claimed the very same territory through a purchase they made in 1736. In 1762, roughly two hundred Connecticut settlers (Yankees) established a settlement near Mill Creek. They planted wheat and constructed log cabins. The Yankees returned to New England for the winter. The Connecticut settlers returned in the spring of 1763 with their families and additional supplies. A party of Iroquois also visited the area with the dual purpose of turning the Lenape tribe against the colonists and killing Teedyuscung, a local Lenape chief. On April 19, 1763, the residence of the chief, along with several others, was set ablaze. Chief Teedyuscung perished in the inferno. The Iroquois let the Lenape believe that this atrocity was committed by the settlers. As a result, the Lenape attacked the colonists on October 15, 1763, killing thirty settlers and taking several others as prisoners. Those who managed to escape fled back to New England. The Lenape then burned what was left of the settlement. After the Revolutionary War the State of Pennsylvania ruled that the Connecticut settlers were not citizens of Pennsylvania. They were not permitted to vote and were ordered to give up their property claims. In May 1784, armed men from Pennsylvania force marched the Connecticut settlers away from the valley. By November, the Yankees returned with a greater force. They captured and destroyed Fort Dickinson in Wilkes Barre. With that victory, a new state (which was separate from both Connecticut and Pennsylvania) was proposed. The new state was to be named Westmoreland. To ensure that they didn't lose the land, Pennsylvania's state government negotiated a compromise with the Connecticut (Yankee) settlers. The Yankee settlers would become citizens of Pennsylvania and their property claims would be restored prior to the Decree of Trenton. As part of the compromise, Pennsylvania would establish a new county in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Yankees agreed to the terms. In 1797, several decades after the community's founding, Louis Philippe, later the King of France from 1830 to 1840, stayed in Wilkes Barre while traveling to the French Asylum settlement.

Wilkes Barre is located within Pennsylvania's Coal Region. The anthracite coal mining industry, and its extensive use of child labor in the early 20th century, was one of the industries targeted by the National Child Labor Committee and its hired photographer, Lewis Hine. Many of Hine's subjects were photographed in the mines and coal fields near Wilkes Barre. The impact of the Hine photographs led to the enactment of child labor laws across the country. The coal industry continued despite several disasters, including an explosion at Wilkes Barre's Baltimore Colliery in 1919, which killed 92 miners. The industry declined when the United States switched to other energy sources, and most coal operations had left Wilkes Barre by the end of World War II. The 1959 Knox Mine Disaster, resulting in the flooding of numerous mines, marked the end of large scale coal mining in the area. Industrial restructuring also caused the city to lose jobs and begin a decades long decline. In 1926, Planters Peanuts Company was founded in Wilkes Barre by two Italian immigrants. The company maintained its headquarters in the city until 1961. In 1929, baseball player Babe Ruth hit one of the longest home runs in history at Artillery Park in Wilkes Barre. On November 8, 1972, Wilkes Barre became the birthplace of modern cable television programming when Home Box Office (HBO) launched over the city's Teleservice Cable system (now Service Electric Cable). Around 365 Teleservice subscribers were the first to receive the premium cable service when it commenced broadcasts. As local ordinances prohibiting direct to cable telecasts of theatrical feature films prevented Time Life from launching HBO over its New York City based Sterling Manhattan cable franchise, the company initially sought an agreement with Teleservice to launch it on the provider's Allentown system; possible television blackout conflicts for HBO televised NBA games, as Allentown was located within the Philadelphia 76ers's 75 mile (121 km) blackout radius, resulted in Teleservice electing to offer it on its Wilkes Barre system instead. Wilkes Barre became the site of a mass shooting on September 25, 1982. George Emil Banks killed 13 people and wounded one. Banks was deemed incompetent to be executed yet currently resides on death row.

Manufacturing and retail remained Wilkes Barre's strongest industries, but the city's economy took a major blow from Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. The storm pushed the Susquehanna River to a height of nearly 41 feet (12 m), four feet above the city's levees, flooding downtown with nine feet of water. A total of 128 deaths were attributed to the storm. Most drowning deaths were caused by people trapped in their cars. Almost 400,000 homes and businesses were destroyed and 220,000 Pennsylvanians were left homeless (as were hundreds of thousands in other states). Damage was estimated to be $2.1 billion in Pennsylvania alone. President Richard Nixon sent aid to the area, after flying over in his helicopter on his way to his Camp David retreat (on June 24, 1972). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Wilkes Barre attempted to prevent the damage from storms as intense as Agnes by building a levee system that rises 41 feet (12 m); completed in January 2003, the network of levees cost roughly $250 million. It has successfully resisted other threatening floods in 1996, 2004, and 2006. The Army Corps of Engineers has praised the quality of the levees. In 2006, the city made the front page of national newspapers when 200,000 residents were told to evacuate in the wake of flooding that was forecast to reach levels near that of 1972, though the flooding fell short of predictions. In late August 2011, Hurricane Irene, centered off the New Jersey coast, caused the Susquehanna River to rise to flood level, but there was no cause for alarm. Then, from September 6 to 8, heavy rains from the inland remnants of Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Katia offshore funneled heavy rain over the Wyoming Valley and into the Susquehanna River watershed. The Susquehanna swelled to record levels across the state. In Wilkes Barre, it crested on September 9 at an all time record of 42.66 feet (13 m), nearly 2 feet (1 m) higher than water levels reached during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The levees protected Wilkes Barre, but nearby boroughs did not escape, as West Pittston, Plymouth, and parts of Plains Township were affected by extreme flooding.

On June 9, 2005, Thomas M. Leighton, the city's mayor, unveiled his "I believe " campaign for Wilkes Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits. Construction began on a planned downtown theatre complex, which had a grand opening on June 30, 2006. Renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling was being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. The expansion of Wilkes University and King's College took place. Also, the canopy and matching street lights in Public Square and across downtown were removed; they were replaced by new green lampposts. Wilkes Barre celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2006. Several events, including a Beach Boys concert, were planned but canceled due to extremely heavy rains. Most of the city's population was ordered to evacuate on June 28, 2006, and the Bicentennial celebration was postponed to Labor Day weekend. The Riverfront revitalization project (River Common), broke ground in 2007 and was completed in early 2010. It has made the riverfront accessible to the public. The area also has a new amphitheater for live performances and improved access through ramps and sidewalks. Fountains and color changing lights have been added underneath two bridges which carry pedestrian traffic across the normally open levee. The project stretches approximately four blocks from the Luzerne County Courthouse to the intersection of South River Street and West South Street. The River Common has since hosted concerts and charity events. Since completion of the River Common, additional improvements to city infrastructure have been progressing. New crosswalks have been installed downtown, including signage emphasizing that pedestrians have the right of way. The completion of the James F. Conahan Intermodal Transportation Facility has added parking and relocated Luzerne County buses from their former Public Square staging sites. This has reduced traffic congestion around the square. Private carrier Martz offers coach bus service from the terminal as well. The widening and realignment of Coal Street, a major road connecting Wilkes Barre City with Wilkes Barre Township, was completed in 2012. The new Coal Street provides four lanes over the original two lanes, making travel between the highly commercial Wilkes Barre Township and the city much easier. In 2013, Hotel Sterling was demolished due to flood damage in the hotel's basement (which compromised the building's integrity). As of today, several buildings are in the process of being constructed on the site of the former hotel.

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (19 km2), of which 6.8 square miles (18 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (1 km2), or 4.60%, is water. The city is bordered by the Susquehanna River to the west. Most of Downtown is located on a wide floodplain. Floodwalls were constructed to protect a large percentage of the city. The elevation of the downtown area is about 550 feet (168 m) above sea level. As you travel inland, away from the river, the elevation rises. Wilkes Barre Mountain is a physical barrier southeast of the city. The contiguous network of 5 cities and more than 40 boroughs all built in a straight line in Northeastern Pennsylvania's urban area act culturally and logistically as one continuous city, so while the city of Wilkes Barre itself is a smaller town, the larger unofficial city of Scranton/Wilkes Barre contains nearly half a million residents in roughly 200 square miles. Wilkes Barre is located approximately 63 mile (101 km) northwest of Allentown, and 113 mile (182 km) northwest of Philadelphia. Wilkes Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the Pocono Mountains to the east, the Endless Mountains to the north and west, and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The Susquehanna River flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city.

Under the Köppen climate classification, Wilkes Barre falls within either a hot summer humid continental climate (Dfa) if the isotherm is used or a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) if the isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Winters are cold with a January average of On average, temperatures below are infrequent, occurring 2.5 days per year, and there are 34.9 days where the maximum temperature remains below
Kirby Park is a public park located along the western bank of the Susquehanna River. Kirby Park is one of the region's most valued recreational resources. Given to the city of Wilkes Barre by the Kirby Family, the park welcomes hundreds of thousands each year. The park is the setting for the city's annual Cherry Blossom Festival (held during the last weekend of April) and the city's July 4 Celebration. Its amenities include tennis courts, a fitness trail, pond, walking paths, running track, softball fields, parking area, volleyball courts, pavilions, and more. Nesbitt Park is also located on the west side of the Susquehanna River. It is located across from Kirby Park. Nesbitt is open to the public. It has walking paths and areas for picnicking. The River Common is located along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River. The Market Street Bridge bisects the park. The River Common joins with the Luzerne County Courthouse grounds. Its features include a 750 person amphitheater, paved walk ways, gardens, ornamental trees, seating areas, a fishing pier, and two grand gateways connecting the city to the river.

The city's population was in constant decline from the 1930s through 2010, but losses stopped that decade, and it saw growth as of 2020. As of the 2020 census, there were 44,328 people and 15,581 households residing in the city. The population density was 5,945 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 69.80% White, 14.90% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, and 4.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.0% of the population. As of the 2010 census, the city was 79.2% White, 10.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.4% Asian, and 2.9% were two or more races. Of the population, 11.3% were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. The Hispanic population was just 1.58% of the population as of the 2000 census. As of the 2000 census, there were 43,123 people, 17,961 households, and 9,878 families residing in the city. The population density was There were 20,294 housing units at an average density of The racial makeup of the city was 92.30% White, 5.09% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population. The average household size was 2.42. With population spread of 22.9% under the age of 18, 61.3% between the ages of 19–64, and 15.8% over the age of 65. Females made up 50.6% of the population. The median household income was $37,902, while 26.6% of the city were found below the poverty line. The per capita income was $20,197.

The local accent of American English is Northeast Pennsylvania English.

More than half (59.3%) of the city's population is religious: 43.8% Catholic, 4.4% Methodist, 3.1% Lutheran, 2.0% Presbyterian, 1.1% Pentecostal, 0.8% Judaism, 0.6% Episcopalian, 0.5% Baptist, 0.5% Islam, and 0.3% The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

As of March 2019, income per capita in Wilkes Barre was $18,375, compared to the national average of $31,177. Household income was $32,484, compared to the national average of $57,652. Family median income was $42,782, compared to the national average of $70,850. The city's unemployment rate in March 2019 was 6.4%. Recent job growth was 0.8%. 49% of jobs were in sales, office, administrative support, production, transportation, and material moving sectors. In 2016, 30.1% of residents lived below the poverty line, more than double the Pennsylvania average of 12.9%. Large employers in the city include GUARD Insurance Group and Lord & Taylor.

The city is headed by an elected mayor, who serves four year terms. The current mayor is George Brown (Democrat). He has been in office since 2019. Before becoming mayor he was a business man and a former city councilman.

The legislative branch consists of a five member City Council. They are elected by a single member district to four year terms. The following are current members of the council: Bill Barrett, Mike Belusko, Tony Brooks, Stan Mirin, and Jessica McClay.

The office of Audit and Control is the third branch of Wilkes Barre City government. It is headed by the City Controller, elected to a four year term. Tony C. Thomas, the current City Controller, is a Democrat and has been in office since 2024.

The city of Wilkes Barre is served by two City Attorneys (Timothy Henry and Maureen Collins). They advise both the mayor and city council.

The Luzerne County government operates out of Wilkes Barre. The city is the administrative center of Luzerne County. The county government is responsible for imposing taxes, providing services to the public, and administering laws and regulations. They govern over a population of nearly 320,000 people. Many government offices are situated within the county courthouse (located at 200 North River Street in Downtown Wilkes Barre). The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas also operates out of the same building. On November 2, 2010, the voters of Luzerne County held a referendum on the question of home rule. A total of 51,413 (55.25%) voted in favor of home rule, while another 41,639 (44.75%) voted against the move. This vote was the direct result of the corruption, wasteful spending, higher property taxes, and out of control debt facing the county. The home rule charter took effect on January 2, 2012; the Luzerne County Board of Commissioners was abolished and replaced with the new form of government (council–manager government). This government consists of a county council. The council chair, who is appointed by his or her fellow council members, is both the highest ranking officer on the assembly and the head of county government for ceremonial purposes. The council also appoints and works alongside a full time manager (who supervises the county's day to day operations). The county government is also made up of many other officials (e. g., the county controller, district attorney, and sheriff).

Eddie Day Pashinski (D) represents Wilkes Barre in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. John T. Yudichak (I) represents the city in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Matthew Cartwright (D) represents Wilkes Barre on the federal level (in the U. S. House of Representatives). Bob Casey (D) and John Fetterman (D) represent the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the U. S. Senate.

Wilkes Barre City is part of the Wilkes Barre Area School District. The district operates one high school, Wilkes Barre Area High School. It opened in 2020 and replaced James M. Coughlin High School, G. A. R. Memorial Junior Senior High School, and Elmer L. Meyers High School. Holy Redeemer High School is a Catholic school in Wilkes Baree managed by the Diocese of Scranton.

Along with the libraries associated with the colleges, Wilkes Barre has several libraries. These include three branches of the Osterhout Free Library, with the headquarters for the Luzerne County Library System in the main branch.

Two international airlines fly from the Wilkes Barre/Scranton International Airport in nearby Pittston Township. Smaller, private planes may also use the Wilkes Barre Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort.

Interstate 81 passes north–south near Wilkes Barre, and the city is also located near the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It is also about 10 mile (16 km) north of Interstate 80. The North Cross Valley Expressway, starting at the junction of Interstate 81 and Pennsylvania Route 115, carries Pennsylvania Route 309 through northern Wilkes Barre, connecting the city to Dallas in the north. Route 115 provides access from the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension, but it does not enter Wilkes Barre city limits.

Public transportation is provided by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority. In addition to servicing the city, it provides transportation for the northern half of the county. It also has a connecting bus to Scranton via an interchange at Pittston with the Transit System of Lackawanna County (COLTS), the public transit authority of Lackawanna County. Martz Trailways provides intercity bus service from the Martz Trailways Bus Terminal in downtown Wilkes Barre to Scranton, New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Wind Creek Bethlehem. Several jitney companies operate from Wilkes Barre through Stroudsburg to Paterson and New York City via I 80.

The city was at one time served by the Lehigh Valley Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (later Erie Lackawanna Railway), Delaware and Hudson Railway, the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Wilkes Barre and Eastern Railroad, and the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad (known as the Laurel Line). CNJ trains included the Interstate Express (ending in 1957) and local service to Allentown and Philadelphia. The last Lehigh Valley trains were the Black Diamond (ending in 1959), John Wilkes and Maple Leaf (the last two, ending in 1961). The Wilkes Barre Traction Company formed a streetcar line from Georgetown to Nanticoke and over the river into Plymouth (it ceased operations in the mid 1940s). The Norfolk Southern Railway, which acquired the former Delaware and Hudson line from successor Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway, provide freight service within the city.

Times Leader and The Citizens' Voice are the two largest daily newspapers in Wilkes Barre. The Wyoming Valley's NBC affiliate, WBRE TV 28, is the only television station licensed to Wilkes Barre, but WNEP TV 16 (ABC), WYOU 22 (CBS), WVIA TV 44 (PBS), and WSWB 38 (CW), all in Scranton, WOLF TV 56 (Fox) in Hazleton, and WQMY 53 (MyNetworkTV) in Williamsport also serve the city. Wilkes Barre's radio market is ranked No. 69 by Arbitron's ranking system. There are news, adult alternative, and music radio stations which are receivable in the area.

Wilkes Barre's economic plight is featured in the movie Capitalism: A Love Story, directed by Michael Moore. The Wilkes Barre variation (or Traxler variation, as it is more commonly known) of the Two Knights' Defense is named for the Wilkes Barre chess club. In the TV series Supernatural episode 8.13 "Everyone Hates Hitler," the lead protagonists investigate a case in Wilkes Barre. In the TV series The Office, In the episode "Michael's Birthday", Dwight gives Michael a jersey from the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, a local professional hockey team that plays in Wilkes Barre. Throughout the series, there is a Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees magnet on the kitchen fridge. In the TV series Days of Our Lives, Episode 8/31/2021, Phillip tells Belle that Brady and Chloe are in Wilkes Barre PA. At the end of the episode, Phillip tells them to "fuel up the jet for Wilkes Barre PA."
The Wilkes Barre police department appears on the TV docuseries “On Patrol: Live”.