Luzerne County Courthouse | |
Location | N. River St., Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
---|---|
Coordinates | 41°15′5″N75°52′46″W / 41.25139°N 75.87944°W |
Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
Built | 1906-1909 |
Architect | Osterling, F.J. |
Architectural style | Classical Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 80003566 [1] |
Added to NRHP | September 4, 1980 |
The Luzerne County Courthouse is a historic county courthouse located in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (along the Susquehanna River). The building houses the government of Luzerne County.
In 2009, county officials celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the courthouse during centennial celebrations at which Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Max Baer delivered the keynote address. [2]
The cornerstone for the courthouse was laid on April 5, 1906. Although no formal ceremonies were held, roughly one hundred people were in attendance to witness the event, which was held in Wilkes-Barre at two o'clock in the afternoon. Placed within the cornerstone was a metal box which contained a Bible, a list of county officials and clerks, a 1905 edition of the Wilkes-Barre Record Almanac, the Smull Legislative Hand Book, copies of local newspapers (Bratstvo, Hazleton Plain Speaker, Hazleton Sentinel, Hazleton Standard , Pittson Gazette, Wilkes-Barre Leader, Wilkes-Barre Record, Wilkes-Barre News, Wilkes-Barre Times ), historic photographs (Good Will No. 2 Fire Department, Wilkes-Barre, 1866; Protection No. 1 Fire Department, Wilkes-Barre, 1866; Wilkes-Barre Fire Department, 1866 and 1892; Wyoming No. 3 Fire Department, Wilkes-Barre, 1866; the old and new courthouses; a bird's eye view of Wilkes-Barre and a view of the river common; the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Derr Memorial and Market Street bridge; and scenes from the 1904 flood); a program from the old courthouse's cornerstone laying, August 12, 1856; a one-dollar bill provided by Wilson J. Smith; and a centennial button. Judge Ferris presided over the brief event. [3]
Designed by architect Frederick John Osterling (1865–1934), [4] the courthouse was built between 1906 and 1909. It is a cruciform plan building in the Classical Revival style, with a domed central rotunda 53 feet in diameter. It is built of Ohio sandstone, reinforced concrete, and terra cotta. [5] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. [1]
Fifty-six portraits of men associated with the development of Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley were painted in groups of four on the building's vaulted ceiling. Many were judges, associate judges or other officeholders. President judges of the courts of Luzerne County who were depicted included: John Handley (1835-1895); John B. Gibson (1780-1853), who later became Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; Jacob Rush (1746-1820), the first president judge of Luzerne County's court system and a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice; Thomas Cooper (1759-1839); Seth Chapman (1771-1835); John N. Conyngham (1798-1871); William Jessup (1797-1868); Stanley Woodward (1833-1906); Garrick M. Harding (1827-1904); and Thomas Burnside (1782-1851). [6]
Also represented in the portraits collection were: Pennsylvania Governor Henry M. Hoyt (1830-1892); American Revolutionary War soldier and judge Matthias Hollenback (1752-1829); Governor and former Supreme Court Justice Thomas McKean (1734-1817); Revolutionary War officer Zebulon Butler (1731-1795); French and Indian War officer Eliphalet Dyer (1721-1807); John Wilkes and Isaac Barre, for whom the town of Wilkes-Barre was named; John Durkee, who laid out the town of Wilkes-Barre; Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf (1700-1760), a German religious and social reformer and bishop of the Moravian Church who helped Conrad Weiser negotiate agreements with the Iroquois in the Wyoming Valley; and Thomas Penn (1702-1775), a colonial governor of Pennsylvania. [7]
In addition, the foyer's ceiling, which was created by Arthur Brounet of New York, was divided into diamond-shaped panels in recognition of Wilkes-Barre's nickname as "The Diamond City," and decorated with multiple figures, including a female form representing Luzerne County (center panel), and panels representing Bradford, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, the four political divisions in Pennsylvania from which lands were taken to form Luzerne County. [8]
Other sections of the courthouse feature paintings depicting the purchase of the land from Indians by the Susquehanna Company at Albany in July 1754, the construction of the first houses in the Wyoming Valley, which were built for Teedyuscung and the Delaware people, the history and methods of transportation in the valley, including an ox cart, canal packet boat, and train, the Pennamite–Yankee War (1774), and a portrait of Anne-César de La Luzerne, the man for whom Luzerne County was named. [9]
And the first floor's corridors were designed with mosaics of a book and lamp, symbolizing knowledge, a pair of scales, symbolizing justice, and an hour glass, which symbolizes the fleeting nature of time while cameos on the second floor evoked the positive attributes of conscience, courage, fortitude, good governance, knowledge, patriotism, understanding, and virtue. Archways throughout the building were ornamented with representations of: air, earth, fire, and wind, electricity, minerals, steam, and water. [10]
Many of the larger paintings were created in oil on canvass by Vincent Aderente of Jersey City while a significant number of the smaller works, including the east corridor lunettes, were created by Robert Benvenuti of New York. [11]
The dome, which was topped with a skylight featuring a colorful version of the Luzerne County seal, was adorned with twelve allegorical paintings depicting: abundance, art, equality, freedom, force, independence, justice, peace, philosophy, science, truth, and wisdom. At the dome's base, four large figures were installed to illustrate the attributes of America's legal system. Inscribed under the figure of moral law is the Latin phrase, "Hic fons Aequitatis" ("This is the fountainhead of all justice"). The phrase "Mos pro Lece" ("Usage has force of law") accompanied the figure of common law while statute law and equity law were described, respectively, by "Lex Appetit" ("The law aims at perfection") and "Aequitas Sequitur" ("Equity follows the law"). Much of the artwork featured in the dome was created by U. Pastore of Scranton and Frederick Stohr. [12]
The courthouse was rededicated in late September 2009 during centennial celebrations that included a keynote address by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Max Baer and an audiovisual presentation by Anthony Brooks, president of the Luzerne County Historical Society, which provided attendees with an overview of the courthouse's construction. Multiple members of the county's judicial system were in attendance at the event, which took place during the morning of Friday, September 25, the anniversary date of the county's formation in 1786. The weekend celebration also included a dinner dance and gala during the evening of September 26 and a 5K walk/run on Sunday, September 27, which raised funds for Luzerne County Special Olympics programs and was sponsored by the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association. The majority of expenses for the three-day event were covered by donations from sponsors and patrons with proceeds from the gala subsequently used for courthouse restoration efforts. [13]
Citing a century of damage, the county contracted Connecticut-based John Canning Studios for a $2.13 million restoration and conservation project. Having been in the building since the summer of 2017, technicians and artisans have repaired a multitude of artwork and design damaged by past water leakage, efflorescence, high-wattage lighting, cigarette smoke, and neglect. An LED lighting system that will illuminate the dome for 20 to 30 years without harming the finishes was engineered. Only six of the 60 dome lights had been working. The project ended in April 2018, when remaining scaffolding came down. [14]
The courthouse grounds connect with the River Common (a park which runs along the riverbank). The Market Street Bridge bisects the park. 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. There are also views of the courthouse from across the river (in Kirby Park and Nesbitt Park).
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Luzerne County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 890 square miles (2,300 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) is water. It is Northeastern Pennsylvania's second-largest county by total area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 325,594, making it the most populous county in the northeastern part of the state. The county seat and most populous city is Wilkes-Barre. Other populous communities include Hazleton, Kingston, Nanticoke, and Pittston. Luzerne County is included in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a total population of 555,426 as of 2017. The county is part of the Northeastern Pennsylvania region of the state.
Hanover Township is a township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,424, making it the most populous township in the county.
Kingston is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located on the western bank of the Susquehanna River opposite Wilkes-Barre. Kingston was first settled in the early 1770s, and incorporated as a borough in 1857. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,349, making it the most populous borough in Luzerne County.
Nanticoke is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,628, making it the third largest city in Luzerne County. It occupies 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) of land. Nanticoke is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Pittston Township is a township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The population was 3,179 as of the 2020 census. The township is located within the Greater Pittston region. As of 2010, the total population of Greater Pittston was 48,020. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is located in Pittston Township.
White Haven is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located along the Lehigh River. The population was 1,163 at the 2020 census.
The Wyoming Valley is a historic industrialized region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The region is historically notable for its influence in helping fuel the American Industrial Revolution with its many anthracite coal-mines. As a metropolitan area, it is known as the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, after its principal cities, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. With a population of 567,559 as of the 2020 United States census, it is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania, after the Delaware Valley, Greater Pittsburgh, the Lehigh Valley, and the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical areas.
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is a district level federal court with jurisdiction over approximately one half of Pennsylvania. The court was created in 1901 by subdividing the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The court is under the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Northeastern Pennsylvania is a region of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that includes the Pocono Mountains, the Endless Mountains, and the industrial cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, Nanticoke, and Carbondale. A portion of this region is located in the New York City metropolitan area. Recently, Pennsylvania tourism boards have described Northeastern Pennsylvania as Upstate Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Route 115 (PA 115) is a 35.7-mile-long (57.5 km) north–south state highway in eastern Pennsylvania. It stretches from U.S. Route 209 (US 209) in Brodheadsville, Monroe County, northwest to Interstate 81 (I-81) and PA 309 near Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County. PA 115 passes through rural areas along its route, intersecting PA 903 in Tunkhannock Township, I-80 and PA 940 in Tobyhanna Township, and I-476 in Bear Creek Township. The road serves as a connector between the Pocono Mountains and the Wyoming Valley.
Greater Pittston is a 65.35 sq mi (169.3 km2) region in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in reference to the area in and around Pittston. As of 2010, the total population of Greater Pittston is 48,020. This region includes Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Exeter Boro, Exeter Township, Hughestown, Jenkins Township, Laflin, Pittston Township, West Pittston, West Wyoming, Wyoming, and Yatesville. It is a subregion of Wyoming Valley.
Max Rosenn was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Correale F. Stevens is an American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from June 2013 to January 2016.
Michael T. Conahan is an American convicted felon and former judge. He received a J.D. degree from Temple University and went on to serve from 1994 to 2007 as judge on the Court of Common Pleas. During the last four years of his tenure, he was the presiding judge of the county.
Harry Livingston French was an American architect based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He designed in a variety of styles, including classical architecture and Gothic revival. His built works included numerous banks, schools, and armories.
Thomas Henry Atherton Jr. was an American architect and decorated World War I officer. He designed many public buildings in New York and Pennsylvania and a war memorial in France. A number of his works, including numerous National Guard armories in eastern Pennsylvania, are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Wyoming Division Canal was an anthracite canal in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It was a branch of the North Branch Canal, which was one of only two major canals in Pennsylvania to be owned by the state. The creek went from West Nanticoke to Pittston, going through Luzerne County.
Solomon Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 8.8 miles (14.2 km) long and flows through Fairview Township, Hanover Township, and Wilkes-Barre. The creek is affected by acid mine drainage and has significant loads of iron, aluminum, and manganese. The creek's named tributaries are Spring Run, Sugar Notch Run, and Pine Creek. The Solomon Creek watershed is located in the Anthracite Valley section of the ridge-and-valley geographical province. Major rock formations in the watershed include the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Spechty Kopf Formation, and the Catskill Formation.
William Camp Gildersleeve (1795–1871) was a merchant and abolitionist whose home in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania was a stop on the Underground Railroad. He won national acclaim from abolitionists for his testimony in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1853 Fugitive Slave case Maxwell v. Righter.