Category: northeastern pennsylvania

Thanksgiving during the Civil War and Lincoln’s resonating message

November 21, 2025

In the fall of 1861, 22-year-old John Williamson was spending his first Thanksgiving away from home, hundreds of miles from his new wife and unborn baby. He’d joined the Union Army and had left his home in Eckley, a coal mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania to be part of the Defenses of Washington. He wrote … More Thanksgiving during the Civil War and Lincoln’s resonating message

Winter soldiering during the Civil War: extracts from a soldier’s letter home in January 1862

January 22, 2025

…and a couple of examples about how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or change. While we’re dealing with our arctic blast, I’ve been wondering what the weather was like in the winter of 1861-1862, the first winter of the Civil War. Why? Because of the letters of a 23-year-old soldier … More Winter soldiering during the Civil War: extracts from a soldier’s letter home in January 1862

Hiding in plain sight–Eckley, Pennsylvania’s “Love Rock”

February 11, 2024

As we approach Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of an unusual bit of history related to romance–the Love Rock at Eckley Miners’ Village. Eckley, Pennsylvania is an open-air museum–a coal town from the 1800s that’s basically been frozen in time. Located near Hazleton, it is a destination for history buffs, school groups and those with family … More Hiding in plain sight–Eckley, Pennsylvania’s “Love Rock”

Meet “Three-O-Nina”, the Big Cow of Wilkes-Barre

September 19, 2023

I go to Wilkes-Barre frequently nowadays–it’s well known that I’ve become a huge fan of its Court House Deer. But I recently learned that there’s another famous animal statue in Wilkes-Barre. She’s from Wisconsin, which makes sense since she’s a dairy cow (and they’re known for their cheese). She’s huge, way, WAY bigger than the … More Meet “Three-O-Nina”, the Big Cow of Wilkes-Barre

Ain’t no mural like a Scranton mural (times three!)

September 13, 2023

I’m one of those people who got hooked on “The Office” TV show during the pandemic. I watched all of the episodes over and over, and got to the point that I could (and did) sometimes recite long stretches of dialog along with the characters (sorry again to my hubby!) The show is based in … More Ain’t no mural like a Scranton mural (times three!)

The Legend & the Curse of the Stone Couch of Buck Mountain

July 30, 2023

It’s a rock formation on top of Buck Mountain, not far from Eckley Miners’ Village in northeastern Pennsylvania. There are many outcroppings of rock, but this particular one is unmistakable—it’s literally a stone couch sitting near the edge of the road. Whether it’s a natural phenomenon or the creation of humans is unknown. Five newspaper … More The Legend & the Curse of the Stone Couch of Buck Mountain