NANTICOKE, PA

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 3.5 square miles of land. The city can be divided into several sections: Honey Pot (northwestern Nanticoke), (northern and central Nanticoke), and Hanover Section (southeastern Nanticoke). It was once an active coal mining community. Today, the 167-acre main campus of Luzerne County Community College is located within the city.

History

Early history

The name Nanticoke was derived from Nentego ("tidewater people"), an Algonquian-speaking Native American people who moved to the Wyoming Valley when their Chesapeake Bay homelands were spoiled for hunting by the European settlers. For quite some time, the tribe maintained a village in the valley before Europeans settled there. The nearby Nanticoke Creek, also named after the tribe, was once known as Muddy Run. However, its current name was appearing on maps as early as 1776. The creek has also historically been referred to by many other names, including Lee's Creek, Miller's Creek, Robbins Creek, Bobbs Creek, Rummage Creek, and Warrior Run Creek. All of these names were described as erroneous in Henry C. Bradsby's 1893 book History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

A forge was constructed on Nanticoke Creek in 1778 by Mason F. Alden and John Alden. During that same year, a log gristmill was also built near the creek by a Mr. Chapman. The mill was heavily guarded in 1780. By 1793, a sawmill and gristmill both existed on the creek.

Incorporation

In the 19th century, Nanticoke was carved out of Hanover Township and Newport Township. The settlement was incorporated as a village in 1830; Nanticoke was chartered by the Pennsylvania Legislature as a borough on January 31, 1874. Nanticoke experienced its greatest population increase between 1917 and 1925. This allowed for it to qualify as a third class city.

The citizens voted in the fall of 1924 to form a city government; and elections were held the following year. The new city government consisted of a mayor and several councilmen, who took office in January 1926 (which was the official date of becoming a third class city). The first mayor of Nanticoke City was Dan Sakowski.

Post-incorporation

Samuel H. Kress opened his first store, which grew into the national S. H. Kress & Co. chain, in Nanticoke.

The city gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an active anthracite coal mining community, drawing a large portion of its labor force from European immigrants. At its peak, in the 1930s, the city was home to over 27,000 people. However, when the mining industry in the region collapsed, Nanticoke witnessed urban decay and a shrinking population. The collapse of the mining industry also left behind a scarred landscape – abandoned mines, breakers, buildings, and pollution in Nanticoke Creek due to mine drainage. Concrete City, built by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad's coal division in 1911, is located near the Hanover Section of Nanticoke. Abandoned since 1924, it was designated as an historic site in 1998, and its remnants still stand as a tourist attraction. The original entrance has since been bulldozed. However, there is an alternate route that does not appear on maps; it can be found at the end of Bliss & Mosier Streets.

In 1967, Luzerne County Community College, a two-year community college, was established in the city. Today, the main campus covers roughly 167 acres in Nanticoke. The school also maintains eleven satellite learning centers located throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Nanticoke City officials voted unanimously to apply for Act 47, or economically distressed city status, which was granted by the state in 2006. Nanticoke faced a projected $700,000 deficit that year, with revenues flat and falling far behind expenses.

Demographics

thumb|left|First Presbyterian Church

At its height, in the 1930s, the city of Nanticoke was home to over 27,000 people. As of the census of 2000, there were 10,955 people, 4,850 households, and 2,905 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,124.0 people per square mile (1,205.1/km²). There were 5,487 housing units at an average density of 1,564.7 per square mile (603.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.84% White, 0.27% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 4,850 households, out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,169, and the median income for a family was $35,444. Males had a median income of $30,125 versus $20,265 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,348. About 11.5% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Geography

Nanticoke is located at (41.199514, -75.999119).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 3.05%, is water. Nanticoke is located in the Wyoming Valley (near the Susquehanna River). The elevation is 696 feet (212 m). Both the Lower Broadway Street Bridge and the South Cross Valley Expressway cross over the Susquehanna River and connect Nanticoke with Plymouth Township. The topography of Nanticoke is hilly. The city can be divided into several sections: Honey Pot (northwestern Nanticoke), Downtown (northern and central Nanticoke), and Hanover Section (southeastern Nanticoke). Nanticoke Creek and Newport Creek run through the city.

Adjacent municipalities

Climate

Nanticoke has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and the hardiness zone is 6a bordering on 6b. Average monthly temperatures range from 26.9 °F in January to 72.6 °F in July.

Transportation

Major highways

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Public transportation

Rail

Airports

Government officials

Nanticoke was incorporated as a third class city in 1926.

Public safety

Nanticoke City has its own police department and fire department. The police department provides full-time protection for its citizens, visitors, businesses, and public property. The fire department consists of a combination of career and volunteer firefighters. It provides a variety of services, including fire extinguishment, rescue, and emergency medical services. The department also provides its citizens with fire safety education and prevention programs.

Culture

Education

Media

WQFM 92.1 FM, WSFX-FM at 89.1, WVHO 94.5 FM, and WGMF 730 AM are licensed in Nanticoke.

Notable people