While visiting the Luzerne County Historical Society Museum in Wilkes-Barre PA this past weekend, I came upon a large metal bald eagle. Clearly old, the white paint on its head faded, it’s a weathervane that, according to the sign, adorned the top of the second Luzerne County Courthouse (1804-1858).
There have been four Luzerne County courthouses over the years, the first three located in the Public Square and the fourth and current courthouse on the River Common. The Court House Deer started his life in Wilkes-Barre in front of the third courthouse in 1867. He moved with the courthouse in 1909 from the Public Square to the River Common, where he continues to reside today.
Luzerne’s second courthouse, where the Eagle perched, was “… a Georgian-style building showing the Philadelphia influence…”. It was shaped like a cross and had a belfry (bell tower) in the center of its roof, which is where the weathervane was likely located.
An article in the December 13, 1957 issue of the Wilkes-Barre Record reports that Richmond D. Williams, director of the Wyoming Historical and Genealogical Society “…found…the weather vane from the second courthouse, which was torn down in the Public Square in December 1858…”
And “… the weathervane [was] presented by County Commissioners John Blanchard, John C. Dunning, and Benjamin Pfouts in December, 1858. The handsome sheet metal eagle and two large metal globes were made at Easton in 1802 and cost $172.11. This gift by the County Commissioners during the first year of the Historical Society’s existence established the precedent of cordial, reciprocal relations between the Courthouse and the Society…”
The Luzerne County Courthouse has been guarded by animals made of metal for over 200 years. Luckily for us they haven’t rusted away (the Deer has been rehabbed more than once over the years) or moved away. They both still call Wilkes-Barre home, one on the courthouse lawn and the other at the LCHS museum, where, as they have for decades, they patiently pose for photos and selfies with their many admirers.
ChessieWriter 