2011
Delaware Water Gap and Mount Pocono born from tourism
By the late 1880s, the small boroughs of Delaware Water Gap and Mount Pocono were the two largest vacation destinations in Pennsylvania. Visitors descended on these Pocono destination by the thousands each summer, arriving by train from more urban areas. Visitors leaving the local train stations scattered to stay at the many hotels and boarding houses that the area had to offer. Read More...
Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg founded in the 1730s
November/2011/ Filed in: Stroudsburg | East Stroudsburg | Moravians | Monroe County | 175th Anniversary
The Borough of Stroudsburg’s history began in 1730 as Peter LaBar established his homestead, a log cabin, on the corner of present-day Main and Ninth Streets. Unfortunately, the log cabin is no longer standing. It was not until decades later, when Jacob Stroud purchased land in the area, that Stroudsburg emerged as a developed town. The area now known as East Stroudsburg has a rich and early history that dates back to the 18th century. East Stroudsburg was originally named Dansbury after Daniel Brodhead who settled there with his family in 1737. Read More...
Brief history of Tunkhannock and Barrett townships
Tunkhannock Township is located in the northwestern portion of Monroe County and was formed in 1856 from lands taken from Coolbaugh Township. Tunkhannock is translated from the Native American word “tank-hanne” meaning “small stream.” Barrett Township is located in the northern portion of Monroe County and was officially created from parts of Price and Paradise townships on December 31, 1859, although the area had been settled much earlier. Read More...
Brief history of Paradise and Eldred townships
Paradise Township was divided from a portion of Price Township on November 26, 1848, receiving its name for the beautiful natural scenery it included. Eldred Township was named for Nathaniel B. Eldred who served as a Monroe County judge from 1849 to 1853. Read More...
Founded in 1840s: Brief history of Polk and Jackson townships
Polk Township is located in the western portion of Monroe County and was formed on September 26, 1846, when it was removed from a portion of Chestnuthill Township. The newly-formed township was named for James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States. Jackson Township was incorporated on December 13, 1843 and was likely named for the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson. Read More...
Founded in 1830: Brief history of Price and Tobyhanna townships
Price Township and Tobyhanna Township were both founded in 1830. Price Township was named for the first European settler in the area, John Price. Tobyhanna Township's name means “stream lined with alders,” which was taken from the Tobyhanna Creek, a tributary of the Lehigh River. Read More...
Founded in 1817: Brief history of Stroud and Ross townships
Stroud Township and Ross Township were both established in 1817. Stroud Township was named for Jacob Stroud, the founder of the Borough of Stroudsburg. Ross Township was named for Judge John Ross who was a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Read More...
Brief history of Coolbaugh and Pocono townships
The importance of Poconos history
April/2011/ Filed in: Monroe County | 175th Anniversary
Often, when we think about studying history, we think of sitting in a classroom, listening to a lecture or reading from a text, memorizing names, dates, locations, battlefield tactics, etc. But the study of history is much, much more than that — it's personal, alive and relevant. Read More...
Famous graves in Monroe County
April/2011/ Filed in: Cemeteries | S.S. Kresge | Shawnee | John Staples | A. Mitchell Palmer | 175th Anniversary
Here are the final resting places of some of Monroe County’s most interesting and historical personages. Read More...
Monroe County's off-the-beaten-path gems
April/2011/ Filed in: Paradise Twp | E.E. Norton | Shawnee | Moravians | A. Mitchell Palmer | 175th Anniversary
If you think all you need to know about history you learned in junior high, think again. Monroe County has some history that is not only worth reading about but visiting, too. Here are some off-the-beaten-path places to visit. Read More...
Items of interest in Monroe County through the years
April/2011/ Filed in: Monroe County | 175th Anniversary
A timeline of interesting events over the history of Monroe County, from the mid-1700s to 1990. Read More...
History of Chestnuthill and Middle Smithfield townships
Chestnuthill Township, located in the western portion of Monroe County, was named for its once-abundant chestnut trees, which lined many roadsides and dotted the rolling countryside of the area. Middle Smithfield Township was parceled out of the northern area of Smithfield Township and was part of Pike County until 1814. Read More...
Our earliest townships: Smithfield and Hamilton
February/2011/ Filed in: Monroe County | Smithfield Twp | Hamilton Twp | Religion | 175th Anniversary
Smithfield Township was founded in 1748 and is named for John Smith, an early colonist who owned large tracts of land in the area. Hamilton Township was created on Dec. 24, 1762 and is the second-oldest township in Monroe County. Read More...
Before Monroe County came the Lenni Lenape
Happy 175th Birthday, Monroe County!
January/2011/ Filed in: Monroe County | 175th Anniversary
